WEST FRANKFORT -- Benton turned four turnovers into touchdowns jumping out to a 28-0 halftime lead and added three more scores in the second half to spoil West Frankfort's homecoming, 47-14, here Saturday.
West Frankfort fumbled on its opening possession. Five plays later, Benton quarterback Hamilton Page scored his first of four rushing touchdowns from 8 yards out.
Midway through the second quarter, the Redbirds fumbled again near midfield, with Neal Carlton picking up the loose ball and returning to Frankfort's 29. Page hooked up with Blake Stewart for a 26-yard pass reception and Page finished the drive with a 6-yard run.
The third turnover came on Frankfort's next possession when quarterback Connor Eaton was intercepted by Ty Gordon. Page scored his second touchdown on a 5-yard run.
Turnover number four came on Frankfort's next possession when Eaton was again intercepted deep in Redbirds' territory. Page took advantage of the miscue and hit Cade Thomas in stride down the middle for a 25-yard touchdown pass. That made it 28-0 with 90 seconds remaining in the half.
"Taking advantages of takeaways is something we talk a lot about. We don't always get it done but today we were able to take advantage of those four turnovers and turn them into scores. That was the difference in the game," said Benton coach Bob Pankey.
West Frankfort finally got on the board early in the second half, thanks to a 73-yard kickoff return from Kyle Hammers. Madison Allen scored from 5 yards out, but the PAT run failed. Allen added a 65-yard TD later in the third quarter. Allen led all rushers with 145 yards in 20 attempts.
Benton struck back. Throwing strikes to Joey Craig and Bailey Hopson for good yardage, Craig was the recipient of a 30-yard TD pass from Page for a 34-6 lead. Page tacked on a 17-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter for his fourth rushing
TD of the day. He had 72 total rushing yards. He was also proficient in the passing department, throwing to seven different receivers for 328 yards.
Blane Pankey added an 18-yard TD for the Rangers, who improved to 3-2 and were able to retain the Franklin County traveling trophy. The Redbirds fell to 3-2.
Benton Rangers strike early; ruin West Frankfort's homecoming
updated: 9/24/2017 2:05 PM
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