Middle school football: Benton, Cope, Greenacres, Rusheon post victories

The Benton Tigers, Cope Cougars, Greenacres Mustangs and Rusheon Rams won middle school football games Tuesday.
In eighth-grade district games, Benton downed Greenacres 28-0 at Benton and Rusheon defeated Cope 26-14 at Airline. In a non-district game, Haughton fell to North DeSoto 8-6 at Haughton.
In seventh-grade district games, Cope edged Rusheon 20-14 and Greenacres topped Benton 16-6. In a non-district game, Haughton fell to North DeSoto 14-6.
At Benton, Evan Cole had a big game on both sides of the ball in the Tigers’ eighth-grade victory.
He caught four passes for 68 yards, scored on a 3-yard run and caused a fumble and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown. He also had two sacks.
Jackson New caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Caleb Cassidy.
Cassidy also had a strong game, completing eight of 12 passes for 126 yards.
Luke Ward scored on a 19-yard run.
Jalen Taylor, Davis Sellers, Jaden Miller, Demeto Conway and Jackson Ashley all contributed to an outstanding overall defensive effort, coach Jared Stowell said.
Pearce Russell scored Benton’s touchdown in the seventh-grade game on a 28-yard fumble return. He also had a nice catch and run.
Tyler Trotter had an outstanding game at receiver and cornerback. He intercepted two passes and caught several big gainers from Grey Walters.
At Airline, Cameron Allen scored three touchdowns — one rushing and two receiving — in Cope’s seventh-grade victory. He also scored a two-point conversion.
Clayton Brandon threw a touchdown pass.
Clayton Fry and JaRobert Kelley scored the Cougars’ touchdowns in the eighth-grade game. Fry went in from 35 yards out and Kelley scored on a 14-yard run. Kelley, who gained 62 yards on 11 carries, also had a two-point conversion.
Fry, named the offensive player of the game by coaches, finished with 56 yards on six carries and one catch for 15 yards. Michael Johnson rushed for 37 yards on just two carries. Quoziel Ghostan had two carries for 26 yards.
Harrison Waxley was named the defensive player of the game by coaches. He also had one catch for 23 yards.
The Cougars had 219 total yards, including 181 rushing.
Rusheon returned three fumbles for touchdowns, including one with four seconds left in the first half. One of the fumble returns came on an attempted fake punt.
The Rams held the Cougars out of the end zone on three trips inside the 20.
At Haughton, the Bucs’ Elton Bryant ran for 133 yards and scored on a 3-yard run in the eighth-grade game.
Good blocking by Kameron Smith and Charles Yocom paved the way for Bryant’s big game.
Blayne Johnson had an interception and Clay Salley recovered a fumble forced by D.J. Gladney.
Pete Paintin, Aiden Jones, Jackson Voigt and Jake Pieri were also defensive standouts.
Haughton’s TD in the seventh-grade game came on a 17-yard pass from Colin Raines to Cayden Hinkie.
Tyler Rhodes and Connor Blank led the Bucs on the ground.
Waylon Keith had an interception and Demetri Williams recovered a fumble. Jesse Normandin, Tazavion Sweeney and Rhodes were other defensive standouts.

NOTE: The above report is based on information provided by coaches. It will be updated as soon as possible if and when more information is received. Report game information to rhedges@bossierpress.com

— Russell Hedges, rhedges@bossierpress.com