Middle school football (Update 1): Benton teams top district standings with two games to go

The Benton seventh- and eighth-grade teams lead the Bossier Parish middle school football districts with two games to play.

In eighth-grade games Tuesday, Benton defeated Cope 36-14, Elm Grove got past Haughton 28-22 and Greenacres downed Rusheon 40-6.

Benton improved to 3-0 and leads Haughton and Elm Grove by one game. Benton can clinch a share of the district championship with a victory over Greenacres at Airline Tuesday.

In seventh-grade games, Benton edged Cope 6-0, Haughton dropped Elm Grove 26-6 and Greenacres defeated Rusheon 36-24.

Benton is 3-0. Greenacres and Haughton are tied for second at 2-1. Benton can clinch a share of the district title with a victory over Greenacres Tuesday.

At Haughton, the eighth-grade game went down to the wire.

After the Bucs tied the game without about a minute left, Brady Norcross returned the kickoff to midfield. AJ Green completed a 40-yard pass to Quincy Jones with 20 seconds left for the go-ahead touchdown.

Green came in for injured starter Gabe Larry in the third quarter. He connected with Jamal Asberry for a 40-yard touchdown with 2:40 left in the game to give the Eagles the lead. Norcross added the conversion.

Larry scored on a 30-yard run and threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Jones. Norcross scored the conversion after the latter TD.

Dylan Coleman and Kevin Madrigal led a strong effort by the offensive line. Larry, Darious Patterson and Cameron Darden were defensive standouts.

Haughton’s Peyton Stovall continued his outstanding season, completing 10 of 15 passes for 154 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for 48 yards.

Dustin Phillips gained 60 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns. Dylan Turner caught a 9-yard TD pass. Defensive standouts included Logan Hendrix and Logan Wilkerson.

Jacob Davis scored two touchdowns for the victorious Haughton seventh-graders.

Elton Bryant ran for a touchdown and a two-point convesion. Coleman Stafford and Nick Hensley scored one rushing TD each.

Kameron Smith and Charles Yokom were cited for their play on the offensive line. Zach Haley blocked a punt. Taylon Decuir had an interception.

Jakobe Janeczko, Blayne Johnson, Aiden Jones and Chandler Lytle led an outstanding overall defensive effort.

Elm Grove’s Tanner Kickland intercepted his fourth pass of the season and returned it for a touchdown. Derek Brown had four catches for 40 yards. Michael Feaster led the defense with 10 tackles.

At Airline, Ashur Hall had another big game for the victorious Benton eighth-grade squad. He accounted for 134 total yards and scored on runs of 48 and 6 yards. He also had a sack.

Clint Lasiter was also outstanding in all phases of the game. He returned a blocked punt 29 yards for a touchdown and ran in two conversions. He also had 10 tackles.

Jayston Johnson scored on an 11-yard run.

Owen Wainscott had five tackles, including 2.5 sacks. He also scored a conversion. Dylan Slaid had four tackles. Cade Waites, Brock VanHoy and Dane Stearns were cited for their blocking.

Jordan Harvey and Darrell Johnson scored rushing touchdowns for Cope. Devin Bilbo scored a conversion. Dextrell Parks had an interception.

Benton’s Evan Cole scored the only touchdown in the seventh-grade game when he returned a fumble about 55 yards in the third quarter. Cole came out of large group of players with the ball and sprinted to the end zone.

Both teams’ running backs made some good runs. The Tigers and Cougars played outstanding defense.

At Bossier’s Memorial Stadium, Rovelle Young scored two touchdowns for the victorious Greenacres’ eighth-graders.

JaQuariuos Rabon, Frederick Manning and Angel Espinoza scored one each. Alex Garcia scored three conversions and Donavan McGee one.

Joao DaSilva scored Rusheon’s touchdown in the eighth-grade game on a 50-yard run.

Torenzo Bunnery scored twice to lead the Greenacres seventh-grade team. Jyson Thomas, Carson Carey and Fabian Johnson scored one TD apiece.

Keon Manning scored three conversions and Carson Carey one.

NOTE: The above report is based on information provided by coaches. It will be updated when more information is received.

— Russell Hedges, rhedges@bossierpress.com