Darren Kinnard/River Radio Sports Central
BENTON — The Benton Rangers had not faced much adversity on their way to a 5-0 start. That all changed Friday night against Nashville as turnovers and injuries piled up while the Hornets rattling off 24 straight points for a 24-7 second quarter lead.
The Rangers righted the ship, scoring the game’s final 27 points to remain unbeaten with a 34-24 win. Benton clinched a playoff spot with the win and took over sole possession of first place in the SIRR Mississippi as well.
Riley Spencer piled up 201 yards rushing and two touchdowns to lead the Rangers’ attack. Fellow senior Kobi Cali did a little bit of everything. Replacing Drake Porter at quarterback for a series while Porter was getting checked out by trainers on the sideline, Cali ran three times for 34 yards and threw a touchdown pass to Aiden Walters. Cali recovered a fumble on defense in the third quarter, had a punt return touchdown called back due to penalty in the fourth, but then hauled in a 37-yard pass from Porter to help set up Spencer’s clinching touchdown.
Owen Diedrich had a pair of first half interceptions for Nashville. The first set up a Hornets’ touchdown late in the first quarter, and Diedrich returned the second for a 40-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.
Benton (6-0, 3-0) will travel to West Frankfort Saturday, while Nashville (4-2, 2-1) will return home to host Pinckneyville.
