Photos courtesy Hunter Whitecotton/Southern Focus Photography
Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
BENTON — It was a battle befitting of a night honoring veterans and first responders. In a matchup of unbeatens, Benton knocked off Du Quoin 17-7 in a defensive slugfest to open SIRR Mississippi play.
Coming into Friday night’s conference opener, the Indians and Rangers figured to have much tougher weeks than either had seen so far this season. Both had blasted through their first three opponents–Du Quoin by the count of 136-25, Benton’s damage was 174-7.
Du Quoin jumped on top 49 seconds into the game on Jeremiah Jones’ 48-yard touchdown run. That came after the Indians recovered Ayden Henderson’s opening kickoff that rocketed off a Benton player.
The Rangers answered with a 17-play, 8:35 drive capped by sophomore Drake Porter’s three-yard touchdown run tying the game 7-7.
The defenses took over from there, keeping it 7-7 until Zander Hammonds hit a 20-yard field goal to give Benton a 10-7 lead.
The Rangers held the Indians’ offense in check, then Porter sealed the deal with a seven-yard touchdown run for the final margin of victory.
Benton improves to 4-0, 1-0. Up next, the Rangers will travel to Anna-Jonesboro. Du Quoin falls to 3-1, 0-1. The Indians will host Pinckneyville next week for homecoming.
