Copyright Arkansas Online
BENTON -- The Benton Panthers had plenty to play for on Friday night at Everett Field, a share of a third straight 6A-East title and a first-round bye chief among them. Benton made the most of its opportunities Friday night, outscoring Marion 24-7 in the second half to claim a 38-21 victory. The Panthers (8-2, 6-1 6A-East) secured a share of the 6A-East title, though they will settle for the No. 2 playoff seed behind Sylvan Hills. Marion (6-4, 4-3) finished the regular season tied for fourth in the 6A-East. The Patriots will be the No. 5 playoff seed and travel to Van Buren next week to open the postseason. Benton senior quarterback Drew Davis, a two-time all-state performer and the school's all-time leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns, had a hand in four of Benton's five touchdowns against Marion. Davis' first score was a 5-yard rush that gave the Panthers a 7-0 lead with 4:49 left in the first quarter. Marion got even on the ensuing drive when senior linebacker Zadean Wilson took a direct snap and scored from 1 yard out with 2:10 left in the first. The Panthers pushed back ahead on their next drive when Davis connected with Gunner Deaton for a 37-yard touchdown pass to lead 14-7 with 1:21 left in the first quarter. Benton was driving again early in the second period when Marion's Makhi Guyton forced a Davis fumble and returned it inside the Benton 10-yard line. Jeremiah Dent turned it into a touchdown two plays later to tie the game at 14-14 with 7:57 left in the first half. Benton had a chance to take the lead again late in the first half, but Guyton blocked a 35-yard field-goal attempt to send the game to halftime knotted at 14 each way. The Panthers took the lead for good on the initial drive of the third quarter, marching 66 yards on 11 plays for a 21-14 lead. Davis covered the final 3 yards with a scoring run with 9:36 left in the third. Benton doubled its lead later on when Davis scored from 2 yards out for a 28-14 advantage with 4:52 left in the third, and that was the tally to start the fourth quarter. Benton's Corey Anderson ended the next Marion drive with an interception. The Panthers cashed in five plays later when Deaton scored on a 10-yard touchdown run for a 35-14 lead with 8:46 left in the game. Marion got within 14 points when Rico Ward ran 54 yards for a touchdown on the following drive, but Benton got a 34-yard field goal from Gabe Wilbur to cap the scoring with 4:27 left in the fourth quarter.
