The Airline Vikings opened defense of their District 1-5A championship with a 50-18 victory over the Benton Tigers Friday night at Newman-Mason Field at Tiger Stadium.
Airline improved to 2-0 overall with its 16th straight regular-season victory. Benton dropped to 0-2.
“I thought we came out and played really well from start to finish,” Airline Head Coach Justin Scogin said.
The Vikings’ first offensive play set the tone. DJ. Allen took a swing pass from Chase Deon Williams and ran 49 yards to the Benton 25. Williams eventually scored on a 1-yard run.
Benton then snapped the ball over the punter’s head on its first possession. The result was a safety and an 9-0 Airline lead.
Jeremiah Epps returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards for a touchdown and the Vikings led 16-0.
“Second week in a row special teams have kind of stepped up to the plate for us,” Scogin said. “That was a big deal.”
Benton then looked like it might make a game of it. Malachi Zeigler found Madden Raymond for a 35-yard touchdown. The Tigers were unable to get the PAT.
Airline answered with a 70-yard drive capped by a 48-yard pass from Williams to Terrence Hays.
Benton then drove to the Airline 24. On fourth-and-1, the Vikings dropped the Tigers for a 2-yard loss.
Airline then proceeded to score three more touchdowns for a 43-6 halftime lead.
Williams completed 14-of-19 passes for 315 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.
Kenny Darby caught eight passes for 160 yards. Hays finished with three catches — all touchdowns — totaling 102 yards. His final two TD catches covered 45 and 9 yards.
Justin Woodfork caught a 29-yard touchdown pass.
Airline scored on its first possession of he second half. Zeigler scored on runs of 6 and 4 yards.
Airline visits Union Parish Friday. The Farmers (0-2) lost to Alexandria 57-0 Friday night.
Benton plays Huntington at Independence Stadium. The Raiders (0-2) lost to Captain Shreve 56-34 Friday night.