Benton Team Preview

After two big wins slipped through their fingers in 2023, Benton hopes to capitalize on those situations in 2024. That all starts with the annual season-opening Salt Bowl with county rival Bryant. The rivalry celebrates its 50th year, as well as the 25th Anniversary of the Salt Bowl. 

 Benton, who hasn’t won a game in the series since 2005, trailed last fall only 7-6 at halftime before falling 35-6 with the Hornets’ depth taking over later in the game. Benton also played the entire second half without star running back Braylen Russell, now a freshman at the University of Arkansas.

 Then in November, the Panthers hosted Little Rock Christian in a Class 6A semifinal game with the Warriors pulling out a 42-35 win.

 “We’ve gotten really close in the semifinals to getting to the championship game,” Benton head coach Brad Harris said. “We just must find a way to finish and kick the door in. 

 “Bryant is always good and has quality depth. That showed in the fourth quarter, but our kids feel good about this game, and our guys feel like our chances are better and we have closed the gap a little bit mentally. We’d like to get our season jumpstarted.” 

OFFENSE

 Quarterback 

After battling then-senior Cline Hooten for the starting job, junior Drew Davis (6-2, 195) slid into the starting role Week 2 and didn’t look back. He passed for more than 3,100 yards and a school-record 42 touchdowns with just two interceptions. Davis picked up a scholarship offer from Marshall.

Sophomore Chase Cobb (5-10, 180) is Davis’ backup. Cobb starred on the Panthers’ undefeated ninth grade team last fall. 

Running back 

Senior Quenton Godley (5-9, 190) has played receiver, but a knee injury has hampered some of his explosiveness, Harris said. So, he will be in the backfield operating between the tackles. Sophomore TJ Williams (5-9, 170) stood out on the freshman conference championship squad in 2023 and could make an impact. Harris is also optimistic about elusive Little Rock Southwest senior transfer Luther Tucker (5-9, 185).

Wide receiver

Harris might have worried more about losing two standout running backs in Russell and Chris Barnard if he didn’t have a stable full of wide receivers to go with his star QB. Harris said with that experience and depth, he expects the Panthers’ offense to be more wide-open this fall.

 Senior Maddox Davis (5-10, 170) had 868 yards receiving with 15 touchdowns in 2023 and proved to be one of the Panthers’ more reliable pass catchers, as he earned first-team All-6A East Conference honors. He combines 4.5 speed with sure hands. Harris said he added 20 pounds of muscle in the offseason and got a bit faster running track in the spring. Classmate Elias Payne (5-8, 175) was Benton’s leading pass catcher with more than 1,102 receiving and 12 TDs, earning all-state honors. He was also an all-state baseball player in the spring. 

 Harris calls junior Karson Collatt (5-10, 170) “the fastest guy” on the team with a 40 time consistently clocked in the low 4.5 range. Classmate Will Carter (5-10, 165) also returns for the Panthers, rounding out the deep corps. Sophomore Bryson Griffis (5-10, 165) was Cobb’s favorite target last fall, racking up more than 1,200 yards, and he will add depth in 2024. Classmate Cooper Priest (5-11, 155) was Cobb’s backup at QB last fall and is working under center and at receiver this summer. 

 Senior Bronson Koolis (6-2, 245) fills the tight end/H-back role again and impresses Harris with his ability to block and catch.

Offensive line

Senior three-year starter Parker Glaze (6-4, 300) anchors a group that returns a core nucleus. Glaze has been at right tackle for two seasons but may move to guard this season. Division I coaches have shown interest in Glaze. 

 Harris said that senior left tackle Isaiah Gipson (6-1, 275) is the team’s “most athletic” offensive lineman. The veteran boasts a 315-pound power clean and a “nasty streak,” Harris said. Classmate Daniel Jordan (6-1, 300) started at left guard in 2024 but could fill an opening at center. 

 A handful of players compete for the final two starting spots. Juniors Jackson Kindrix (6-1, 245) and Garrett Pilkington (6-2, 245) have impressed with their effort in the offseason. Junior Eli Cunningham (6-0, 270) is also in the mix. Classmate Seth Ochoa (5-10, 260) adds depth at center. Sophomores Brody James (6-0, 270) and Maddison Heard (6-1, 290) also seek snaps in the interior.

Specialists

Senior Garrett Honeycutt (5-10, 140) handled all the place-kicking chores last fall, hitting 2 of 4 field goals with a long of 44 yards. He also connected on 73 of 77 extra points. Sophomore soccer players Dawson Daves (5-10, 165) and Gabe Wilbur (5-8, 135) kicked on the junior high squad. All three players will compete for the punting job. 

DEFENSE

Defensive line

The line group boasts some experience and is anchored by senior Ty Matyja (6-0, 225). Matyja, who won a state wrestling title at 215 pounds, was originally a linebacker but found a home at end last fall and earned a starting spot. 

 Classmate Owen Seals (6-0, 245) is healthy after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament in his knee at the end of last season while rotating in at end. Senior Dominic Roy (6-3, 250) and sophomore Carson Conyers (5-10, 235) will also see snaps at end. 

 Senior Mason Laster (5-10, 250) impressed in the weight room in the offseason and cemented a starting spot at noseguard after playing mostly JV the past two seasons. Classmate Jay Alford (6-1, 250) hasn’t played football since ninth grade, but the coaching staff welcomed him back, and after a good offseason he will rotate at noseguard. 

Linebacker 

Senior Walter Hicks (6-0, 220) has been a force in the middle since his sophomore season. He totaled 104 tackles last fall after totaling 126 in 2022. Hicks, who has attracted the attention of all the state’s Division II programs, bench presses 360 pounds, squats 625 and power cleans 300. Classmate Nick Wright (6-0, 200) is a good complement to Hicks with 4.7 speed and a 315-pound bench press and 300-pound power clean. Wright (49 tackles) could also be the punter if none of the specialists claims the job.

Senior Jack Johnson (5-9, 185) will see significant varsity snaps this fall for the first time. 

Juniors Antonio Shelton (6-0, 180) and Konnor Stephens (5-9, 165) and sophomores Weston Monson (6-2, 185) and Bryson Matyja (6-0, 190) add depth. 

Secondary

Senior strong safety J. Thomas Pepper (6-0, 185) totaled more than 97 tackles last fall. Classmate Isaac Hill (6-0, 180) wasn’t expected to contribute much last fall but came on strong throughout the season and amassed 89 tackles at the weak safety spot. Landon Jackson (6-0, 175) can substitute at both of those safety spots. Junior Logan Hipskind (6-0, 170) also rotates between the two spots. 

 Senior O’Marcus King (5-8, 155) had played running back and receiver before moving to cornerback last fall. He had 31 tackles and an interception in his debut. 

 Juniors Roy Adams (5-10, 155) and Javion Walls (5-9, 165) both boast 4.6 speed and compete for the other cornerback job. 

Junior Gunner Deaton (5-8, 165) transferred to Benton from the Chicago suburbs after his father’s job brought him to central Arkansas. He played cornerback at John Hersey High School last fall and seeks reps with the Panthers.