Panthers Hammer Crew

The Benton Panthers football program has built a reputation around its gritty style of football, especially on the defensive side. Taking tricks out of the old-school, hard-hitting gridiron days of the game, Benton is primed to field one of its most talented and hardest hitting “Hammer Crews” in recent memory in 2024.

Led by three seniors, this season’s linebacker corps brings plenty of playing time and experience to the Panthers lineup in what is set up to be a state-championship-caliber squad. “It is always great to have an experienced group at linebacker on your defense,” said Head Coach Brad Harris. “We have Walter Hicks back for his senior year; he will be a three-year starter and has led our defense in tackles the previous two years. He is one of the top linebackers in the state. 

“And we also have Nick Wright back. He started last year as a junior for us and had a really good year, so between those two guys, that is a lot of games played returning for us. Then we add Jack Johnson in the mix, who rotated in some and has worked his tail off for his senior year. We are excited about what he’ll bring to that group this year.”

Hicks leads the three-headed trio this season and embraces his position.

“I try to be a leader in everything I do on and off the field, so being the leader of the Hammer Crew I don’t feel much added pressure because wanting to lead is routine for me,” Hicks said.

“What makes the Hammer Crew so special is the way we treat each other like family. We all hold each other accountable and push each other to improve every day. When someone messes up, we get them right and when someone makes a play, we let them know.”

Johnson mirrored his fellow senior teammate, stating the Crew has plenty of returning experience that continues to build upon itself every practice and game day.

“We’re a senior-led team and the whole starting linebacker unit is made up of seniors,” Johnson said. “We all have a lot of experience playing on Friday nights. But I’d say the aspect that makes us the most special is our work ethic. We’re always pushing each other, whether that be in the weightroom or on the field.”

While the Hammer Crew employs a hard-knocks kind of play, the group also leads the defense every snap. “We have an acronym for our defense, PDC, which stands for Panther Demolition Crew,” Hicks said. “The linebackers take the role of the Hammer Crew seriously because we are the head of the defense, and it is up to us to get everyone else lined up and know their gap assignments. 

“I equate being part of the Hammer Crew with making sure that the defense is playing right. If someone misses a tackle, it’s up to me to let them know to fix it. If someone goes through the wrong gap it’s my job to get their gap for them and then let them know to get right.”

Despite having one of the best linebacker crews in the state, Benton always faces an early challenge from cross-county rival Bryant in the biggest game of the year, the Salt Bowl.

With this year’s 25th anniversary game being extra special, Benton’s senior defensive leaders and head coach are excited, to say the least. “I see winning a Salt Bowl as about as nice as winning a state championship,” Wright said. “You grow up watching the Salt Bowl at War Memorial wishing you could play in it.”

For Coach Harris, being able to coach his two sons under the lights at War Memorial will also be near the top of his football memory bank. “I would have to say one of my top memories is getting to coach both of my boys in the Salt Bowl. This game’s atmosphere is like that of no other high school football game and I’m just glad we got to experience that together,” Harris said. “I also really enjoy that entire week of the Salt Bowl, the lead-up to the game, with the Salt Bowl Press Conference and pep rallies. 

“I like that it is an opportunity to promote our football program on a big stage and get our players more exposure.” For Hicks, playing in front of and representing his hometown is what makes the big game most special to him.

“The Salt Bowl is a huge event in my hometown, and everyone comes to watch it,” Hicks said. “You feel the whole city on your back when you play in the Salt Bowl.”

Coming into the 2024 season, Bryant owns a 21-1-2 record over the Panthers in the Salt Bowl. 

However, before the big games of high school football and Friday night heroics there were growing pains and learning moments for all three seniors.

As youths growing up playing pee-wee football, the three quickly built a bond that has lasted and matured into a top defensive powerhouse among 6A schools in Arkansas.

For Hicks, his older brother led before him, helping Benton’s offensive line while simultaneously molding his younger sibling into a strong Panther himself.

Hicks, though, has been around the game for his fair share of years, starting with flag football in kindergarten and tackle as early as second grade. “My older brother played O-line for Benton and graduated in 2019,” Hicks said. “I always looked up to him and his friends and would do everything they did. I played the same games, ate the same foods, listened to the same music. So, when it comes to football, the biggest reason I play football is my brother. 

“We played football in the backyard every day and roughhoused nonstop. He toughened me up a lot throughout my childhood, so I loved football automatically because it was just second nature to run and hit people.” 

For Johnson, who began playing with the pigskin in fourth grade, the love of the game comes from time spent in front of an NFL TV screen with his father.

“I developed my love for the game when I was a little kid watching college and NFL games,” Johnson said. “Watching players like Tom Brady and Luke Kuechly influenced me to join football, and I realized I loved playing it too. My dad is also one of my biggest influences in my football career because he’s always encouraged me to keep working hard at it and would consistently put me through football workouts.”