Featured photo by Robert Summerlin
The Benton Tigers rolled past the Woodlawn Knights 38-6 Friday night at Newman-Mason Field at Tiger Stadium.
Benton improved to 2-1. The Tigers have equalled them victory total of last season with at least seven games to play. Woodlawn dropped to 0-3.
The Tigers led 24-0 at the half.
Nick Randall scored the first two touchdowns on a 7-yard pass from Malachi Zeigler in the first quarter and a 19-yard run on an option play in the second.
Jake Wroten kicked a 27-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 10-0
lead in the first. He also was 3-for-3 on extra-point kicks.
Madden Raymond scored the final touchdown of the first half on a 47-yard pass from Zeigler. He also scored a two-point conversion.
Raymond scored again on a 3-yard run in the third quarter. Ryder Adams scored the final touchdown on a 5-yard run late in the game.
Benton Head Coach Stephen Dennis said he and his defensive staff led by coordinator Tracy Jackson made some adjustments after last week’s 30-16 loss to Booker T. Washington.
“Any time you make changes in season, it’s a hard learning curve, but I thought the kids and the coaches did a great job putting it together tonight,” he said.
Zeigler and Raymond both had big nights. Zeigler has been an impact player for three seasons. Raymond has been a major contributor so far this season.
“He’s a tough nosed football player,” Dennis said. “He’s one of those throwbacks. He just wants it and he goes and does it.
“He’s at the pep rally today and they let him talk and he’s got the whole gym yelling ‘Hail’ on one side and ‘Benton’ on the other. I’m like, he’s got a job in sales one day if football doesn’t work out.”
Benton opens District 1-5A play Friday at preseason favorite Evangel Christian. The Eagles (1-2) defeated Huntington 42-0 Friday night.