BENTON - Two Benton High School football players were named to the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association's 4A All-State Honorable Mention football team for the 2017 season.
Seniors Hamilton Page and Blane Pankey were selected to the team recently, according to head football coach Bob Pankey.
Quarterback Page set numerous school records for the Rangers this past season, including the most passing yards (1,906) and passing touchdowns (17). He was named to the All-Conference team, the All South squad and to the Academic All-State team. He won back-to-back team MVP awards and also set a single game record for passing yards. He threw for 319 yards in Benton's big victory over county rival West Frankfort.
Pankey led the Rangers with 712 rushing yards for six touchdowns. He was named All-Conference for the second consecutive year and was also named to the Academic All-State team. Pankey led the team with 96 tackles at a linebacker position, a school record. He also recorded 14.5 tackles for lost yardage. He forced two fumbles and recovered three.
Benton finished the season with a 5-4 record.
