Unbeaten A-J soars past Rangers
BY RICK HAYES
CONTRIBUTING WRITER
ANNA -- A train whistle -- signifying an Anna-Jonesboro touchdown -- was sounded loudly and often here Friday night.
The Wildcats scored six times in the first half and nine times total in a 66-28 victory over Benton. A-J finished the season with an unbeaten 9-0 record. The loss dropped Benton to 5-4, and in all likelihood, finished the Rangers' season.
The Rangers became playoff eligible three weeks ago, followed by the back-to-back losses to Murphysboro and A-J to end the season. Those defeats, coupled with losses by conference rivals Harrisburg and West Frankfort on Friday, severely damaged Benton's chances of making the postseason playoffs. The IHSA will announce the postseason schedule on Saturday evening.
An 80-yard kickoff return by A-J senior Arieh Hart gave the Wildcats a 21-7 lead with just under a minute to go in the opening half.
The Wildcats got on the board first with a 20-yard run from Jayce Turner at the 6:20 mark; he scored again on a 13-yard run after Benton gave the Wildcats good field possession at the 35.
Benton's lone score in the quarter came on a Cade Thomas 40-yard pass reception. Thomas would finish with three TD receptions.
A-J would scored three more times in the half -- on a 1-yard quarterback sneak from Bryce Osman; a 62-yard screen pass from Osman to Hart; and a 5-yard run by Osman.
Benton made the game interesting midway through the second quarter. The Rangers cut A-J's advantage to 27-13 when Thomas hauled in a screen pass and romped 57 yards down the sideline for a score.
Benton also scored in the final minute of the half on a Hamilton Page 1-yard run. The TD was set up by a 31-yard pass play from Page to Bailey Hopson. On the point-after, Page completed a pass to Blane Pankey.
Leading 41-21 at the half, the Wildcats took just four plays to score in the second half. Osmon scored his third touchdown on a 45-yard option run. Following a three-and-out by the Rangers, the Wildcats were again given outstanding field position when Ian McMahon's punt sailed straight up in the air. Starting from the Rangers' 27, Osman scored his fourth touchdown on a 6-yard run.
When Turner scored off tackle from the 1 on the second play of the fourth quarter, the Wildcats got a running clock with a 62-21 lead.
Not quitting, the Rangers put together a nice 80-yard drive on their next possession.
Page completed three passes to Cade Thomas -- including a 21-yard touchdown - and one to Neal Carlton during the drive. Thomas caught five passes for 169 yards.
Unofficially, Page finished 8-of-15 for 221 yards and the three touchdowns to Thomas
