Benton clinches playoff berth with win over Harrisburg

Danny Czerwinski
Section618.com

BENTON — The Benton Rangers used a big fourth quarter to pull away from Harrisburg and beat the Bulldogs 30-7 to not only make it a happy Homecoming game, but also clinch a playoff berth in the process.

The game featured two of the three unbeaten teams in the Ohio Division of the Southern Illinois River to River getting together on the turf at Tabor Field. The Rangers got off to a quick start, forcing a Bulldogs’ three and out on the game’s opening possession. Benton’s offense wasted little time getting its first score of the night, a four play drive on their first possession capped by Keegan Glover’s 28-yard touchdown pass to Reid Baumgarte. Eli Hanson added the extra point to put Benton up 7-0 with 8:12 left in the first quarter.

Harrisburg found it tough sledding on offense again. The Rangers forced another three and out. Benton put together a very workman like, 9 play, 69 yards drive ending with a Glover 28-yard touchdown run. Hanson added the extra point and Benton had a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The second quarter saw plenty of offensive stats, but zero points. Harrisburg marched 72 yards down to the Benton 8 yard line, but the Rangers stopped them on 4th and 2 at the 8. Benton then marched down the field to the Harrisburg four yard line with a 13-play drive eating up seven minutes, but the Bulldogs returned the favor and held on downs, sending the game to halftime with Benton leading 14-0.

Benton again marched back into the redzone on the opening possession of the third, but the Bulldogs again came up with a stop as Vaundre’ McIntosh picked off Glover in the endzone on a fourth down play inside the 10.

The Bulldogs cashed in on the turnover, as they drove 80 yards in 4 minutes on 8 plays. The drive ended with a Ben Gulley’s 42-yard touchdown pass to Ross Rider. The extra point was good, and the Rangers lead was cut to 14-7 as the third quarter ended.

After a long drive by Benton which ended in a fumble, the Bulldogs took over at their own 8 yard line. After a couple of penalties pinned Harrisburg back at the two yard line, Benton’s Wyatt Upton tackled Gulley in the endzone for a safety and a 16-7 lead with 9:15 left in the game.

On the ensuing possession, the Rangers extended their lead as Glover and Baumgarte connected for a second touchdown, this one a 35-yarder that put Benton up 23-7. The Rangers tacked a late touchdown for the final margin of victory.

Benton improves to 6-0, 3-0 in the Ohio. The Rangers will host Massac County next Friday on Senior Night. Harrisburg drops to 4-2, and 2-1 in the Ohio. The Bulldogs will host the third conference unbeaten, Murphysboro, next Friday night.