Bryant tightens Salt Bowl grip

The Bryant Hornets left no doubt who was the tougher team in Friday’s Salt Bowl.

Bryant jumped out to a 21-point first-half lead and rolled to a 42-14 victory over Benton in front of an announced crowd of 26,178 at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock.

The Hornets (1-0), who won the Class 7A state championship last season over North Little Rock, finished with 463 yards offensively.

With Friday’s victory, Bryant is 13-0-1 since 2006 in the Salt Bowl. The Hornets lead the series 26-19-2.

Bryant Coach Buck James was proud of what the Hornets accomplished Friday against their longtime Saline County rival.

“Hard work pays off,” James said. “There’s no way they [Benton] did what we did. We convinced them that hard work pays off. I tell you, our guys have really put in the time and effort this summer. They got bigger and stronger, and they got faster and perfected their craft.

“We imposed our will on them. That’s what we’ve got to do. Mentally and physically, we’ve got to control the game. The kids were able to go out there and do that.”

Senior running back Ahmad Adams scored three touchdowns, all in the first half, from 1, 4 and 7 yards out. He had 85 yards on 13 carries.

“He’s a state-championship wrestler,” James said. “Not a coach on the staff didn’t doubt that he’d be a factor. I know this: If I had my son back there in the secondary and he had to try to tackle Ahmad all night long, it wouldn’t be a good feeling.”

Junior quarterback Austin Ledbetter completed 14 of 22 passes for 309 yards with 3 touchdowns. Benton Coach Brad Harris, who led the Panthers to the Class 6A state championship game last season, credited Bryant.

“They’re a real good team,” Harris said. “I didn’t quite think after watching their scrimmage game [against Pulaski Academy on Aug. 20] that they’re as talented as they are up front. But after tonight, I’d say they are.”