Benton 87, Sheridan 42: Panthers light up Jackets in 129-point shootout
Benton 87, Sheridan 42
BENTON — Benton blistered Sheridan 87–42 Friday at the Palace, turning a first‑quarter track meet into a runaway. Senior QB Drew Davis carved up the Yellowjackets, going 26‑of‑36 for 435 yards and eight touchdowns and adding a 49‑yard scoring run. Senior WR Will Carter returned to form with 10 catches for 193 yards and four TDs, while WR Karson Collatt and WR Easton Snellings each caught two scores—the latter hauling in a 48‑yarder from backup QB Chase Cobb. The night’s defensive jolt belonged to OLB Antonio Shelton II, whose 70‑yard pick‑six stretched a 52‑28 edge to 59‑28 as Benton raced to a 66‑28 halftime lead.
Kevin Kelley’s Yellowjackets landed early haymakers. Junior RB Zay Stephens ripped a long TD on the second snap and powered in a two‑point run. QBs Dax McMellon and Easton Barksdale hit explosives—WR Dylan Smith took one 80 yards in the first quarter and added a late TD, and sophomore WR Hunter Socia grabbed two first‑quarter scores. But Benton’s defense steadied with three interceptions and multiple fourth‑down stops to slow Sheridan’s tempo and frequent onside‑kick approach. Special teams tilted Benton’s way, too: junior K Gabe Wilbur drilled a 29‑yard field goal and pounded touchbacks, and senior K Gavin Betts added two PATs. The Panthers improved to 4‑2, 2‑1 in 6A‑East; Sheridan fell to 2‑4, 1‑2.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Sheridan – Zay Stephens run (Stephens 2‑pt run), SHS 8‑0.
Benton – Corey Anderson 16 pass from Drew Davis (Gabe Wilbur kick), SHS 8, BHS 7.
Sheridan – Dylan Smith 80 pass from Dax McMellon (Stephens 2‑pt run), SHS 16, BHS 7.
Benton – Brenden Murdock 36 run (Wilbur kick), SHS 16, BHS 14.
Benton – Wilbur 29 FG, BHS 17‑16.
Sheridan – Hunter Socia 78 pass from Easton Barksdale (2‑pt run failed), SHS 22‑17.
Benton – Davis 49 run (Wilbur kick), BHS 24‑22.
Benton – Will Carter 45 pass from Davis (Wilbur kick), BHS 31‑22.
Benton – Easton Snellings 29 pass from Davis (Wilbur kick), BHS 38‑22.
Sheridan – Socia 40 pass from Barksdale (2‑pt failed), BHS 38‑28.
Benton – Collatt pass from Davis (Wilbur kick), BHS 45‑28.
2nd Quarter
Benton – Carter 21 pass from Davis (Wilbur kick), BHS 52‑28.
Benton – Antonio Shelton II 70 INT return (Wilbur kick), BHS 59‑28.
Benton – Collatt 28 pass from Davis (Wilbur kick), BHS 66‑28.
3rd Quarter
Benton – Carter pass from Davis (Wilbur kick), BHS 73‑28.
Benton – Carter pass from Davis (Gavin Betts kick), BHS 80‑28.
4th Quarter
Sheridan – Smith pass from Barksdale (Andrew Mitchell kick), BHS 80‑35.
Benton – Snellings 48 pass from Cobb (Betts kick), BHS 87‑35.
Sheridan – McCurry Meyer pass from Barksdale (Mitchell kick), Final 87‑42.
Standouts
Benton: QB Drew Davis (435 yards, 8 TD; rush TD); WR Will Carter (10‑193, 4 TD); OLB Antonio Shelton II(70‑yard pick‑six). Sheridan: RB Zay Stephens (early TD, 2‑pt runs); WR Dylan Smith (two TD grabs).