BENTON 38, MARION 21

The Benton Panthers broke a 14-14 halftime tie with the Marion Patriots on the opening drive of the second half on a nine-play, 66-yard drive. Senior quarterback Drew Davis scored on a three-yard run and Gabe Wilbur kicked the PAT to give Benton a 21-14 lead with 9:35 remaining in the third quarter.

Panther senior safety Cordell Payne intercepted a Patriot pass on their ensuing possession, Payne’s seventh pick of the season to set up Benton at the Marion 37-yard line.

With an opportunity to go up two scores, Davis completed a 24-yard pass to senior Gunner Deaton. A pass interference on Marion moved the ball to the Patriot six-yard line. Then disaster struck. Davis’ pass was intercepted by Marion’s Brian Benford and appeared he’d take it the distance for a pick-six. But Davis never gave up on the play, racing to make a touchdown saving tackle at the Panther 31-yard line.

“Man, Drew showed a lot of guts,” coach Brad Harris said. “Our team goes as our quarterback goes and to see him make a huge play after the interception to save a touchdown was big. He’s the heart-and-soul of our team and the whole team rallied around the momentum of that play.”

Indeed, they did. Following Davis’ touchdown saving tackle, the PDC got a fourth down stop at the Panther 22-yard line. 11 plays later, the Panthers were celebrating in the end zone when Davis scored from two yards out with 45 seconds remaining in the third quarter. His touchdown run followed a phenomenal catch by Will Carter who “mossed” the Patriot cornerback, going up and over the defender to make a leaping catch at the two-yard line. Wilbur’s extra point gave Benton that coveted two-score lead at 28-14 and the outcome was never in doubt from that moment on.

The first half was a seesaw affair. Benton scored first on Davis’ four yard run. Marion answered on a one-yard run by Zadean Wilson. The Panthers responded with a 37-yard touchdown catch by Karson “Poot” Collatt before Marion tied it going into halftime on a two-yard run by Jeremiah Dent.

“We didn’t play well in the first half,” coach Harris admitted. “We were up-and-down and couldn’t get on an even keel. We’ve got two weeks to get more consistent and that will be necessary to make a deep playoff run.”

The Panthers outscored Marion 24-7 in the second half to secure the win. Benton got a 10-yard touchdown run by Gunner Deaton and a 33-yard Gabe Wilbur field goal in the fourth quarter. Marion’s final score came on a 54-yard touchdown run by Rico Ward.

Benton outgained Marion 450 yards to 296. Davis completed 21 of 36 passes for 324 yards. Brenden Murdock (9-78) and Deaton (8-54) led the Panthers on the ground. Carter (9-167) and Collatt (6-81) led Benton receiving.

Unofficially, senior linebacker Antonio Shelton led the PDC with 10 tackles. Weston Monson, Payne, and Konnor Stephens contributed six tackles. Avian Beard, Monson, Noah Roberson, and Drake Woodward were in on sacks while Corey Anderson and Payne intercepted Patriot passes.

Prior to the game, 23 seniors and their parents/guardians were honored at midfield. This group of seniors has recorded 27 wins (just one win shy of tying the school record for wins by a senior class). The win also earned the Panthers a share of the 6-A East Conference title, the third in three years for this group of seniors.

“I don’t think anyone would suggest this is the most athletic team we’ve had, but they play so hard for each other,” Harris said. “I love this team, their heart and their grit, and am really excited to get to the playoffs and see how far we can go.”

That playoff run will begin on Friday, November 21 at the Palace when the Panthers will host the winner of next Friday’s Sheridan (East 6 seed) at Mountain Home (West 3 seed) contest.