Rangers fall on Senior Night finale

A long season came to a merciful end here Friday night.
Leading just 14-0 at intermission, Anna-Jonesboro scored four touchdowns in the second half, putting away the Rangers, 43-6, on Senior Night. The Wildcats advance to the postseason playoffs with a 7-2 mark while the Rangers finished with a 1-8 record.
"I'm proud of our defense tonight. That first half they played real well," said Benton coach Justin Groves. "We just weren't able to maintain and shot ourselves in the foot with turnovers and a fumble to start the second half. We're proud of our kids. They never quit."
Seven seniors closed out their football careers at BCHS, including Joey Craig, Austin Crawford, Andrew Dunn, Jadon Stark, Dylan Lampley, Haden Rone and Carston Sanders.
Another senior on the other side of the line, A-J's Damien Chrisp, led the victory. Chrisp scored the Wildcats' initial touchdown on a 16-yard run late in the first quarter and tacked on another 2-yard plunge early in the second half, giving his team a 22-0 advantage.
Chrisp led all rushers with 146 yards on 29 carries. The Wildcats rushed for 268 total yards and needed to complete just one pass for a 67-yard touchdown for 335 yards of total offense.
Meanwhile, the Rangers were limited to 109 yards of rushing -- 104 of that coming from junior Tyler Butler, who had the lone TD. The Rangers did not get a first down until midway through the third quarter.
Butler's 67-yard touchdown came at the 10:56 mark of the final quarter. It came on the first play, following A-J's 67-yard TD pass play, giving the 'Cats a 36-0 lead.
Freshman Keegan Glover got his first start of the year at quarterback for Benton. He was 5-of-10 for 38 yards with one interception.
Anna-Jonesboro quarterback Conner Jerolds scored on TD runs of 1 and 2 yards, rushing for 54 yards. He completed his only pass -- the bomb to Reid Morrison -- good for a touchdown. Ethan Ralls scored the 'Cats other touchdown on a 4-yard run.
Groves said his seniors will be part of something special down the road.
"They are part of laying down the groundwork (for the future). They put their time in and are always welcomed back. I don't remember one discipline issue with any of them. It may not be the best group of football players we've had, but they fought and worked hard all year. They definitely earned my respect."