Benton grabbed a share of the SIRR Ohio Division title with a 40-18 win over Murphysboro Saturday night at Tabor Field and for good measure, Ranger junior Keegan Glover became the school's all-time passing touchdown leader as BCHS moved to 4-0 on the season.
The Rangers drew first blood as Glover used his legs -- instead of his arm -- in scampering for 36 yards with 11:50 to go and grabbing a 6-0 lead.
Murphysboro didn't waste much time in tying the game at 6-all when Devon Clemons took the rock 44 yards to the house with 8:13 left to play in the opening quarter.
The Rangers retook the lead with 1:00 left to go in the first when Peyton Swigonski punched in a two-yard TD score to make it 13-6.
In the second quarter, Benton opened up the scoring when Glover hooked up with Peyton Bayless for a 15-yard strike and following a point after kick by Eli Hanson, the Rangers had a 19-6 lead.
The Red Devils pulled back to within seven after senior QB Ryan Finke found Ethan Finke on a 14-yard route to make it 19-12 with 9:00 left to play in the first half.
In the third, Murphysboro got as close as one point after Ethan Finke found pay dirt from three yards out with 5:00 to go, but that's when Glover went to work, first using the QB keeper from one-yard out and hooked up with Reid Baumgarte on the two-point conversion for an 27-18 advantage.
In the final quarter, Glover took one in from 12 yards out and capped off the scoring by hooking up with Wyatt McClintock from 14 yards out, his 37th career touchdown throw, setting the new school record.
Glover finished the night with five touchdowns as Benton racked up 343 yards of total offense, holding Murphysboro to just 163.
Glover finished with a 68.4 completion percentage, going 13-for-19 for 247 yards and two TDs. On the ground, Glover led the rushing attack with 76 yards on 10 carries and three more scores.
McClintock led Benton in receiving, hauling in three passes for 85 yards and a TD.
Murphysboro's Devon Clemons was held to just under 100 yards s the 5-foot-7, 180-pound sophomore had 99 yards on 20 carries and one score. Ryan Finke was 3-for-4 for 15 yards with one score as QB and Ethan Finke led MHS in receiving with one catch for 14 yards.
Murphysboro will host Anna-Jonesboro Friday in the first of two home games to close out the season, while Benton will travel to Nashville Saturday.
Murphysboro 06 06 06 06 -- 18
Benton 13 06 08 13 -- 40
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
BEN -- Glover 36 yard run (kick failed), 11:50
MHS -- Clemons 44 yard run (kick failed), 8:13
BEN -- Swigonski 2 yard run (Hanson kick), 1:00
Second Quarter
BEN -- Glover 15 yard pass to Bayless (kick failed), 11:48
MHS -- R. Finke 14 yard pass to E. Finke (two-point conversion failed), 9:00
Third Quarter
MHS -- R. Finke 3 yard run (kick failed), 5:00
BEN -- Glover 1 yard run (Glover to Baumgarte conversion), 1:40
Fourth Quarter
BEN -- Glover 12 yard run (Hanson kick),. 10:00
BEN -- Glover 14 yard pass to McClintock (kick failed), 5:00
Team Stats
MHS BHS
Number of Plays 54 36
Total Offense 163 343
Rushing: Attempts-Yards 50-148 17-96
Passing: Comp-Attempts-Int
3-4-0 13-19-1
Passing Yards 15 247 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 0-0
First Downs 13 15
Penalties-Yards 5-45 7-45
Individual Stats
RUSHING: MHS -D. Clemons 20-99 (TD), E. Finke 7-48, Kuba 6-32, Payton Austin 5-(-4) R. Finke 5-(-19), Calvin Clemons 7-(-8). BHS - Glover 10-76 ( 3 TD), Swigonksi 4-11 (TD), Chase Thomas 3-9.
PASSING: MHS - R. Finke 3-4-0 15 (TD). BHS - Glover 13-19-1 247 (2 TD)
RECEIVING: MHS - E. Finke 1-14 (TD), Kuba 2-1. BHS - McClintock 3-85, Bayless 3-59 (TD), Newcomb 2-57, Baumgarte 3-(-16), Bolen 1-(-3).
