Benton piles on Texarkana

BENTON — On a night when the Benton Panthers’ offense made a big statement in their conference showdown with Texarkana, Coach Scott Neathery wanted to talk defense.

The Panthers ( 5- 0- 1 , 4-0) gained 452.6 yards and crushed Texarkana 56-13.

“You have to give credit to our defense,’’ Neathery said. “They did an outstanding job. Anytime we play a team with speed we are concerned because of what they can do in space. Our defense really played well.

“We felt like it was going to be a tough ballgame. We were really worried about their speed. It was just one of those nights where everything clicked for us. I don’t know how else to explain it.”

The Panthers, who forced three Razorback turnovers, dominated the first half and had the game in hand before the break. Less than 2 minutes into the game, Cason Maertens hit Drew Harris with a 7-yard touchdown pass and the route was on. Grant Hinze made the first of eight extra-point kicks.

Maertens, who finished 12 of 14 for 289 yards and 5 touchdowns, added a second score on a 76-yard scoring pass to Drew Harris, who had 6 receptions for 138 yards with 7:29 left in the half. Sam Baker’s 21-yard touchdown reception made it 21-0 with 5:42 left in the first quarter.

Texarkana (2-5, 0-4) scored on Andrew Bishop’s 36-yard run with 2:20 to make it 21-7.

That set the stage for Drew Dyer, who had four receptions for 104 yards, to score the next three touchdowns. He caught a 64-yard touchdown pass from Maertens, added a 4-yard scoring run on the first play of the second quarter and an 8-yard scoring reception for a 42-7 advantage with 7:31 left in the half.

Dyer’s heroics were followed by senior fullback Julius Lewis, who rushed for 124 yards on seven carries. Lewis scored on a 65-yard run and a 2-yard run late in the second quarter.

“We knew he could run the football,’’ Neathery said. “It was just a matter of getting people in places. Boy, he showed out a little bit. He’s a load. But that is a good problem to have. (Chase) Shamlin was hurt and Julius stepped in and did a great job for us.”

Benton’s Stone Paul had his seventh interception of the season and Dontae Wilson also had an interception. Chandler Clift recovered a fumble.

PINE BLUFF 63, LITTLE ROCK HALL 0

David Beasley returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown to help Pine Bluff (5-2, 4-0 6A-South) build a 49-0 halftime lead on the way to a rout of Little Rock Hall (0-6-1, 0-4).

Kenan Brown and Rodterian Scott add-

ed rushing touchdowns for Pine Bluff.

LITTLE ROCK PARKVIEW 34, SHERIDAN 7

Kolian Jackson ran for three touchdowns and Jason Green added two more touchdowns as Parkview (4-3, 2-2 6A-South) defeated Sheridan (1-6, 0-4) in Little Rock.

Jackson finished with 18 carries and 88 yards, which included touchdown runs of 2, 1 and 4 yards. Green finished with 21 carries for 110 yards, including touchdown runs of 4 and 2 yards.

Brockton Brown led Sheridan with 17 carries and 100 yards, which included a 74-yard touchdown run.