Panthers, Bulldogs vie for finals' appearance

The Benton Panthers had defeated 6A South Conference foe El Dorado Wildcats three straight times, with the last two victories coming at an average of 39.5 to 9.0 scores. The Panthers made it four straight this past Friday at Panthers Stadium, but it definitely didn’t come as easy as the previous two contests. Up 17-2 at the half, Benton held on to a 20-12 win with the Panther defense coming up with two huge turnovers the last two Wildcat possessions, the last when El Dorado was at Benton’s 9-yard line before senior linebacker Kyler Nitschke’s interception at the goal line sealed the win.
Making the 6A state finals last season for the first time in almost 30 years, finishing runner-up to the Pine Bluff Zebras, the Panthers’ trek doesn’t get any easier as they join the final four once again for a shot at another state finals’ appearance. Benton, 9-2, will travel to Greenwood today to take on the undefeated Bulldogs (11-0), which smoked the Marion Patriots 42-3 in the second round. It will be Greenwood’s and Benton’s first-ever meeting.
Greenwood has been really good this season. A member of the 7A/6A Central Conference, the Bulldogs have beaten both 7A and 6A schools alike, their closest contest in conference being a 42-21 win over the Catholic Rockets on the road in Week 9. Greenwood defeated Benton rival Bryant Hornets 38-7. Bryant defeated Benton 37-13 in the season-opening Salt Bowl and Benton’s only other loss was to the Pine Bluff Zebras, 41-28 defeat.
Pine Bluff, which beat Russellville 42-21, plays the Jonesboro Hurricane on Friday for a trip to the finals. But Benton definitely won’t be looking ahead as Greenwood is loaded offensively, both running and passing, averaging 242.5 passing yards per game and 260.5 rushing yards.
Greenwood junior quarterback Luke Hales has thrown for almost 1,800 yards and 16 touchdowns (459 and 11 on ground), while sophomore QB Connor Noland has added 844 yards and eight TDs through the air, and 409 and three TDs rushing. Senior Jordan Green leads the Bulldogs on the ground with 883 yards and 12 TDs, while senior receiver Ryan Padilla has 85 catches for 1,188 yards and eight TDs.
But the Panthers’ offense, despite trouble executing this past Friday, and defense are strong as well, outscoring its opponents by an average of 33.1 to 14.1.
Senior QB Cason Maertens, who broke three school passing records last year and missed the first five starts due to injury this year, has passed for 1,557 yards and 14 TDs. Junior running back Brandon Hunter surpassed the 1,000-yard barrier this past game and has 1,020 yards and nine TDs. It was the first time a Benton back has hit the 1,000-yard mark since Wallace Foote had 1,794 in 2012. Senior Drew Dyer leads Saline County with 66 catches for 701 yards and seven TDs (12 for 95 vs. El Dorado last week) and has also rushed for over 600 yards and 12 TDs. Senior receiver Colten Nix leads the county with 11 TD catches, adding 46 receptions and 708 yards.
The defense has been good as well with senior defensive end Jeremiah Bowling’s 15 sacks, junior linebacker Brayden Harris’ tam-leading 89 tackles with 7.5 sacks and senior cornerback Simeon Watson’s five interceptions and seven pass break-ups.
The Panthers and Bulldogs will kick off at 7 p.m. at Smith-Robinson Stadium in Greenwood.