DDNS Story and Photos courtesy of Allie Carson

After their first win of the season, the Jonesboro Golden Hurricane stayed at home to face off against Benton, a team they have always fallen short against. This meeting was no different, losing 55-24.

Jonesboro decided to defer to the second half so Benton started with the ball. And a touchdown.

Within the first 12 seconds of the game, Benton quarterback Drew Davis hit wide receiver Karson Collatt for a 55 yard gain to set the Panthers up at the Jonesboro 2. Free safety Gunner Deaton would sneak into the endzone on the very next play for a touchdown. 

While running back TJ Brown would bring the Golden Hurricane to the Panthers’ 11 yard line off the kick return, Jonesboro would be forced to kick a field goal.

The Panthers wouldn’t give the Golden Hurricane time to breathe as the next drive ends in another quick touchdown and Jonesboro doesn’t get in good enough field position to score on their drive.

A fumble on Benton’s next drive would push them away from the Jonesboro 37 yard line all the way back to their own 26 yard line. While Jonesboro had all the opportunity to jump or scoop up the ball, they were unable to get under it, causing QB Davis to jump on the ball.

However, Benton wouldn’t be able to do anything on their drive, giving the ball back to Jonesboro.

A perfect slant pass to wide receiver Kameron Davis from Jonesboro quarterback Asa Myers gives the Golden Hurricane team their first touchdown of the night after Davis was given the opening for a 25 yard run. 

After a made extra point, the deficit would be cut 14-10 Benton until the Panthers would break multiple tackles on their next drive, scoring their third touchdown of the quarter, the second touchdown run by QB Davis. 

The second quarter was off to a slow start until Benton’s ball at the eight minute mark. QB Davis throws the ball up the middle, intended for wide receiver Easton Snellings, but is intercepted by defensive back Jaylen Alexander, his fourth interception of the season.

It’s Jonesboro’s ball at the 41 yard line of Benton. An overthrown pass intended for Jaylen Heard is awarded with a defensive pass interference call, giving the Golden Hurricane 15 yards and getting to the Panthers’ 30 yard line.

Brown would soon have back to back 15 yard runs, giving Jonesboro their second touchdown of the night. A made extra point would bring the Golden Hurricane their edge back, closing the Panthers’ lead to 21-17.

After penalties and breaking tackles, the Panthers scored another touchdown, Jon Curtis Barger breaking through multiple Jonesboro defenders to make it to the end zone. 

The Golden Hurricane go into halftime down 28-17 but come out quickly like a second half team.

After a penalty on Benton, Jonesboro started at their own 16. QB Myers launched a deep ball down field into the hands of WR Davis who would catch it just past the Jonesboro 45 and reached the Benton 20, with a horsecaller penalty moving the Golden Hurricane into the Panthers’ 14.

While that early second half touchdown seemed promising for the Golden Hurricane, it’s where they stalled out, not scoring anything else the entire game. Instead, Jonesboro QB Myers would get hurt and taken out of the game early in the fourth quarter for a hamstring injury.

“He’s fine. I was proud of him for battling as long as he did tonight. We’ve got to get him back to 100 percent,” Jonesboro coach Tyler George said. “He’s kind of tweaked it throughout the week.”

Jonesboro would watch as Benton scored two field goals and three more touchdowns, making the 55 points the most the Panthers have ever scored all season.

This would include a 64 yard rushing touchdown by Panthers’ QB Davis, a 57 yard pass to Collatt and even a 49 yard field goal during the last minute of the game. 

“Came out of half playing good on defense and it got away from us in the fourth,” George said. “I say it every week. Our kids are gonna continue to fight,”

With the final score being 55-24, this marks Jonesboro’s sixth straight loss to Benton and puts their season record at 1-3 with a game at Sheridan next on the schedule.

Benton would improve to eight straight away game wins and become 3-1 on the season before heading home to play rival Sylvan Hills.