PANTHERS TOO MUCH FOR BADGERS

It was another rough evening for the Arkadelphia Badgers Friday as they fell to a talented Benton Panther team by a final score of 56-17, marking the first mercy rule loss for the Badgers since September 2016. Benton got off to a hot start Friday, jumping out to a 35-0 lead midway through the second quarter. Many teams would call it quits when facing such a deficit, but the Badgers fought back and kept the game from heading into a 35-point, second-half lead mercy rule situation until the early moments of the fourth quarter. Victor Tademy was the star man for the Badgers, taking home the title of offensive player of the week. The senior slotted in at wide receiver to accumulate over 140 receiving yards and a touchdown. His effort helped keep the Badgers in the game as it progressed past the second quarter. The Panthers opened the game with a quick six-play, 69-yard drive which ended in a 40-yard touchdown run from junior wide receiver Gavin Wells. The Badgers responded quickly with a 50-yard bomb on their first offensive play from Cannon Turner to Tademy, putting the offense within striking range. Just three plays later, however, the Badgers squandered their good field position with an interception which was returned by Benton safety David Griffin to the Arkadelphia 42-yard line. On Benton’s next play, the Panthers doubled their lead with a 42-yard touchdown pass. After trading possessions, Benton took over offensively with good field position at the Arkadelphia 29-yard line. Just two plays later, the Panthers were in the end zone once again to finish their first quarter scoring at 21-0. Arkadelphia was able to move the football on their first drive of the second quarter, progressing into the red zone for the first time in the game. On third-and-goal, however, Turner threw his third interception of the game, giving the ball back to Benton who capitalized for their fourth passing touchdown of the game. A blocked punt on Arkadelphia’s next possession once again gave Benton excellent field position to punch in a 10-yard touchdown run and give itself a 35-0 lead It was at this point that the Badgers’ offense responded to keep the game from the mercy rule at halftime. The team put together a five-play, 47-yard drive which culminated in a 35-yard touchdown reception from Tademy. The Badgers stopped Benton on a fake punt on their next drive, and then capitalized on good field position by converting a 29-yard field goal attempt via the left leg of Gabe Goodman. An interception in the final seconds of the second quarter meant the Panthers headed into the locker room with a 35-10 lead. The second half did not start well for the Badgers, as Benton forced a fumble and returned it for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Arkadelphia responded quickly with a 69-yard touchdown pass from turner to Tademy. Zak Williams closed the scoring for Benton with two short touchdown runs, with the final coming in the early moments of the fourth quarter and giving the Panthers their 56-17 lead, causing the clock to run out for the remainder of the game. Arkadelphia will travel to Wynne on Friday to complete its non-conference schedule. The game will kick-off at 7 p.m.

PANTHERS TOO MUCH FOR BADGERS

CALEB BYRD

Siftings Herald | 9/5/2018

PHOTO CREDIT: Arkadelphia Athletics