Benton Steps In, Byers Scores as Stuttgart Opens Conference Play With Shutout

Published On: September 26, 2026Categories: High School, News

Stuttgart 48, Watson Chapel 0

PINE BLUFF — Bradley Benton took over at quarterback on Stuttgart’s opening possession, scored on a 3-yard keeper and threw a touchdown pass as the Ricebirds defeated Watson Chapel 48–0 Friday night at Wildcat Stadium.

Keaton Byers intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown, and Stuttgart built a 45–0 halftime lead. The Ricebirds improved to 4–0 overall and 1–0 in 8-4A play in the teams’ first meeting since 2001.

Cain Price extended Stuttgart’s opening drive with a 13-yard scramble on fourth-and-eight before leaving the game. Benton entered and finished the possession two plays later with his touchdown run. Parker Ellis’ extra point made it 7–0 with 7:46 remaining in the first quarter.

Byers gave Stuttgart another scoring opportunity when he intercepted a pass and returned it to the Watson Chapel 32. Two plays later, Benton completed a short pass to Bray Minor, who followed his blocking down the sideline for a 29-yard touchdown.

Cordaro Berry partially blocked a punt on Watson Chapel’s next possession. Stuttgart converted third-and-seven with Benton’s 18-yard completion to Ky’marion Wiley, then added a 7-yard catch by Jay Griffin. Tayquan Hall finished the drive with a 24-yard touchdown run, starting right before cutting back left to reach the corner. Stuttgart led 21–0 with 2:39 left in the quarter.

Tyree Phillips added a diving interception of a deflected pass at the Wildcats’ 33. Early in the second quarter, Beau Barnes and Caleb Anderson converged on quarterback Kaedon Langel for a sack that forced another punt.

Hall’s 20-yard run helped launch the ensuing scoring drive, and Berry finished it with a short touchdown run for a 28–0 lead. Hall totaled 73 rushing yards on seven carries before halftime.

Wiley supplied the next long gain, taking Benton’s pass 56 yards to the Watson Chapel 1. Antwon Berry scored from inside the 1 after a penalty, extending the lead to 35–0 with 6:57 remaining. Wiley’s two first-half receptions covered 74 yards.

Byers returned his second interception for a touchdown with 5:24 left in the half. Cordaro Berry intercepted a pass on Watson Chapel’s next possession, giving Stuttgart four interceptions before halftime.

Brilon Hogan later broke up a fourth-down pass to give Stuttgart possession at the Wildcats’ 23. Ellis finished that drive with a 20-yard field goal as the half expired.

Braxton Kirkdoffer handled quarterback duties after halftime and connected with Montavius Brooks for a fourth-down conversion during the opening third-quarter drive. Watson Chapel ended that possession with an interception near the goal line. A 30-yard Stuttgart field goal with 6:26 left in the fourth quarter completed the scoring.

For Watson Chapel, Jakilynn Battles produced a 25-yard first-quarter run and returned a second-quarter kickoff across midfield. Tylin Shelton caught passes for 8 and 17 yards on the Wildcats’ final possession, and Anthony Compton Jr.’s third-down reception moved them to the Stuttgart 30.

Scoring Summary

First quarter

Stuttgart — Bradley Benton 3-yard run (Parker Ellis kick), 7:46. Stuttgart 7–0.
Stuttgart — Bray Minor 29-yard pass from Benton (Ellis kick), 6:24. Stuttgart 14–0.
Stuttgart — Tayquan Hall 24-yard run (Ellis kick), 2:39. Stuttgart 21–0.

Second quarter

Stuttgart — Cordaro Berry touchdown run (Ellis kick), 9:49. Stuttgart 28–0.
Stuttgart — Antwon Berry 1-yard run (Ellis kick), 6:57. Stuttgart 35–0.
Stuttgart — Keaton Byers interception return (Ellis kick), 5:24. Stuttgart 42–0.
Stuttgart — Ellis 20-yard field goal, 0:00. Stuttgart 45–0.

Third quarter

No scoring. Stuttgart led 45–0.

Fourth quarter

Stuttgart — 30-yard field goal, 6:26. Stuttgart 48–0.

Players Who Stood Out

Bradley Benton, Stuttgart: Replaced Cain Price during the opening drive and scored on a 3-yard keeper. Threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Bray Minor and completed passes of 18 and 56 yards to Ky’marion Wiley.
Keaton Byers, Stuttgart: Two interceptions. Returned the first to the Watson Chapel 32 to set up Minor’s touchdown, then returned the second for a touchdown.
Cordaro Berry, Stuttgart: Scored a rushing touchdown, intercepted a second-quarter pass and partially blocked a first-quarter punt.
Tayquan Hall, Stuttgart: Seven first-half carries for 73 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown. Added a 20-yard run on the drive that ended with Cordaro Berry’s touchdown.
Ky’marion Wiley, Stuttgart: Two first-half catches for 74 yards. His 18-yard reception converted third-and-seven; his 56-yard catch set up Antwon Berry’s touchdown.
Bray Minor, Stuttgart: Turned a short pass from Benton into a 29-yard touchdown for a 14–0 first-quarter lead.
Antwon Berry, Stuttgart: Scored from 1 yard out in the second quarter and added a 14-yard run on the possession that ended with Ellis’ halftime field goal.
Tyree Phillips, Stuttgart: Made a diving interception of a deflected pass at the Watson Chapel 33 in the first quarter.
Parker Ellis, Stuttgart: Made all six first-half extra points and a 20-yard field goal on the final play before halftime.
Brilon Hogan, Stuttgart: Broke up a fourth-down pass late in the second quarter, giving the Ricebirds the ball at the Watson Chapel 23 and setting up a field goal.
Tylin Shelton, Watson Chapel: Had two first-half catches for 23 yards and added receptions of 8 and 17 yards on the Wildcats’ final drive.
Jakilynn Battles, Watson Chapel: Broke a 25-yard run in the first quarter. Returned second-quarter kickoffs to the Watson Chapel 46 and across midfield.
Anthony Compton Jr., Watson Chapel: Made a third-and-10 catch on the final possession to move the Wildcats from their 48 to the Stuttgart 30.