by Steve Dunford
BENTON, IL – Hamilton Page passed for 278 yards for three touchdowns and one rushing touchdown as the Benton Rangers hold on to a 35-28 victory over the Harrisburg Bulldogs last night at Tabor Field.
Division one prospect Jordan Bartok played on both sides of the ball for Harrisburg last night, as the big fullback/linebacker racked up 173 yards. Last week he just played defense against Massac County.
Benton put their first points the board in the first quarter as Page hit Bailey Hopson for a 28 yard touchdown pass. The extra point by Ian McMahon was good to put Benton up 7-0. Later in the quarter Page then finds Cade Thomas for a four yard pass the extra point was not good, and after one quarter it was Benton 13 Harrisburg 0
In the second quarter, Page rushes it in from 13 yards and the extra point failed and at the half it was Benton 19 Harrisburg 0.
Bartok puts the Bulldogs on the scoreboard in the third quarter with a 13 yard run. The extra point was good and the score was 19-7 Benton. Later in the quarter Page finds Thomas again for a 33 yard pass. Page then finds Hopson in the end zone for the two point conversion to put Benton up 27-7. Then, sophomore running back Carl Russ, who I am very impressed with runs a 68 yard run. He tallied up 109 yards on the night for the Bulldogs. The extra point was good, and at the end of three quarters it was Benton 27 Harrisburg 14.
Then a couple of sophomores hook up for the Bulldogs, QB Isaac Crabb hits Russ with a 50 yard TD pass, the extra point was good to cut into Benton’s lead of 27-21. Ty Gordon comes right back with a 77 kickoff return. Page finds Thomas again in the end zone to give Benton a 35-21 lead. Late in the ball game Bartok rushes it in from three, the extra point was good to give Benton a 35-28 victory.
The Rangers improve to 4-2 on the season and are in a two way tie for second in the SIRR Ohio with West Frankfort who beat Murphysboro last night 44-28 in overtime. They currently sit at 24 playoff points, in addition to WF’s win, Herrin, Carterville, and A-J’s win gave them four additional points last night.
Harrisburg picks up close to six. I have them sitting at 26.8 Along with Benton and West Frankfort, victories by Booneville IN, Herrin, Carbondale, and DuQuoin, if I have how the IHSA weighs Booneville’s victories right. Indiana plays a 10 week high school schedule.
Last nights victory by the Rangers puts them in much better shape for playoff aspirations. With hosting winless Massac Co, next week, and having a look at Murphysboro last night, I see Benton as the heavy favorites in the next two weeks.
It is very possible on week nine, the Rangers could be facing an Anna-Jonesboro team that will come into the game undefeated. There are a lot of good running backs in Southern Illinois this year, and I think Jase Turner is the cream of the crop. Hopefully WPSD-TV will pick it up as one of their Gridiron Glory games.
Link to the box score and stats
https://stats.digitalscout.com/football/boys/game/8790489
Link to other media sources
Rick Hayes – Benton Evening News
WSIL-TV Sports Extra (5:40-6:40)
http://www.wsiltv.com/category/301475/sports
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