The Benton Tigers held off a late rally by the Haughton Bucs for a 48-40 District 1-5A victory Thursday night at Prescott Field at Harold E. Harlan Stadium.
Benton improved to 2-4 overall with its second straight win and 1-3 in district. Haughton dropped to 1-5 and 1-4.
The Tigers took a 48-34 lead in the fourth quarter on an 8-yard pass from Malachi Zeigler to Case Austin and Will Petro’s extra-point kick.
After a good kickoff return, Haughton drove 58 yards for a touchdown on a 12-yard run by Brandon Craig.
On fourth-and-2 from the Benton 47, a punt attempt by the Tigers resulted in an 8-yard loss after the snap bounced off the punter’s hands.
The Bucs took over at the 39 and reached the 29 with the clock winding down. Taylor Weathersby threw a pass intended for Ethan Johnson in the end zone. It was incomplete but the Tigers were flagged for pass interference, moving the ball to the 15.
On the game’s final play, Weathersby was forced to scramble under heavy pressure and was sacked.
Benton scored first on a 30-yard fumble return by safety Grayson Martin. The fumble was forced by JT Young.
Haughton then drove 88 yards in 11 plays. Brandon Craig carried eight times. Weathersby completed a 27-yard pass to Johnson to the Benton 11 and Craig scored on the next play. The PAT failed.
The first quarter ended with the Tigers on top 7-6.
A good kickoff return set Benton up at the Haughton 35. Zeigler hit Greg Chambers for gains of 21 and 14 yards.
Chambers scored from the 1. Petro’s second PAT made it 14-6.
After both defenses made fourth-down stops, Weathersby found DeCarlos Johns all alone for a 48-yard touchdown. Connor Bencke’s PAT got the Bucs within 14-13.
The Tigers answered with an 80-yard drive. Zeigler passed 42 yards to Case Austin for the TD. A two-point conversion attempt failed and the first half ended with Benton ahead 20-13.
Haughton opened the second half with an 80-yard drive capped by a 14-yard run by Craig. Bencke’s extra point tied the game at 20.
Benton quickly regained the lead. Austin caught a pass from Zeigler at the Bucs 29. He almost slipped down but regained his footing and completed the 59-yard play.
Haughton came right back. Craig took a long lateral pass and went 60 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point kick failed and Benton still led 27-26.
The Tigers made it 34-26 on a 62-yard pass from Zeigler to Rydon McCormack.
The Bucs again answered quickly. Craig scored on a 52-yard run and Weathersby ran in the conversion.
The game headed to the fourth quarter tied at 34.
The Bucs had a chance to take the lead after recovering a fumble at their 42.
Haughton reached the Benton 10 but the Tigers and a penalty pushed the Bucs back to the 25. On fourth down Weathersby was forced to scramble and was sacked.
The Bucs forced a punt early in the fourth quarter. They drove from their 6 to the Benton 44. On fourth-and-6, Nicholas Gray made an interception near the Tigers’ bench.
Benton then drove 59 yards for a touchdown with Chambers scoring on a 15-yard run. Petro’s PAT gave the Tigers a 41-34 lead.
Craig returned the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown but it was erased by a penalty.
Benton scored its final TD after recovering a fumble at the Haughton 35.
Zeigler completed 15-of-21 passes for 285 yards and four touchdowns, per stats for the Benton Tigers Sports Network’s broadcast.
Austin had four catches for 111 yards. Chambers rushed for 105 yards on 18 carries and caught five passes for 63 yards.
McCormack finished with two catches for 68 yards. Owen Patterson had three for 34.
Beckett Moore led the defense with five solo tackles and 10 assists. Jaxsin Johnson had eight solo tackles and one assist. Moore had two sacks.
Xavier Villamor had four solo tackles and six assists. Jonathan Hollis had four solo tackles and five assists.
Weathersby completed 31-of-43 passes for 390 yards. Johnson broke his own school record with 18 catches for 203 yards.
Craig finished with 239 yards rushing on 33 carries. He also caught three passes for 62 yards.
Johns had four catches for 68 yards. Case Corkern had three for 39.
Benton hosts Evangel Christian Thursday. The Eagles (5-1, 4-0) were scheduled to play Captain Shreve Friday night.
Haughton visits Airline Friday. The Vikings (3-3, 1-3) lost to Parkway 48-43 Thursday night,