Louisiana High School Football: 2017 Season Preview of the Benton Tigers
Written by Charlie Beuttel
Twitter: @charlie_cds3
It was another successful season for Benton High School in 2016, as the Tigers finished 10-3 reaching the state quarterfinals. Benton opened the season on five-game winning streak by blowing out Green Oaks, Natchitoches Central, Southwood, Huntington, and North DeSoto to close out September. On Oct. 7, the Tigers suffered their first loss falling 42-28 to a tough Minden squad. The next week Benton bounced back by shutting out Fair Park 31-0. Unfortunately, their winning ways were short-lived as the Tigers fell to district rival, Woodlawn, 54-28 on Oct. 21. Benton then beat Northwood 42-20 and Bossier 47-25 to close out the regular season 8-2. In the first two rounds of the playoffs Benton dismantled A.J. Ellender 63-28 and doubled up Rayne 28-14 to punch a spot in the quarterfinals. However, Benton fell to eventual state champion, Edna Karr, 59-13 to finish the season 10-3.
Luckily for Benton and their fans, the majority of the team is back to make an even deeper run at a state championship in 2017.
Offense
In 2016, the Tigers scored an incredible 39 points per game and have the talent returning to put up the same impressive numbers this season. The leader of this offense will be senior quarterback Garrett Hable. This will be his third straight season as the starter. For his career, Hable has thrown for 6,379 yards and 64 touchdowns. The 5’10”, 177 pound, playmaker has also run for 892 yards and 16 more scores in his Benton career. Benton’s rushing attack will be led by senior running back Jermaine Newton who posted a stat line of 891 yards and 17 touchdowns in his junior season. Hable’s favorite target, senior wide receiver Doyle Adams Jr., will also be back in 2017. Adams snagged 68 passes for 582 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2016 earning All-City and All-State honors.
Defense
Last season, Benton gave up 22 points per game including holding seven opponents to 20 points or less. One of the returning play-makers will be senior defensive lineman TJ Anderson (6’3”, 305 pounds) who was selected All-District after the season. Another All-District performer returning for his senior season is linebacker Jordan Myles (5’9”, 190). One player to watch in the Benton secondary is junior defensive back Johntavious Johnson (6’3”, 180).
2017 Beton Tigers Schedule
9/1/2017 Wossman
9/8/2017 at Alexandria
9/15/2017 Tioga
9/22/2017 Bossier
9/29/2017 Northwood
10/6/2017 at Minden
10/12/2017 at North DeSoto
10/20/2017 Huntington
10/27/217 at Woodlawn
11/3/2017 at Booker T. Washington
2017 Benton Tigers Schedule Breakdown
The beginning of the 2017 schedule is full of home games as Benton plays four out of their first five at home with their lone road game coming on Sept. 8 against Alexandria. The good news for the Tigers, every one of their first five games are winnable. On Oct. 6, the Tigers will open the gauntlet of district opponents as they travel to Minden and then to North DeSoto the following next week. On Oct. 20, Benton will play its final home game hosting Huntington.
Benton closes the regular season at Woodlawn and at Booker T. Washington. If Benton can win three or four of their final five games it will give them an edge in the district standings for a top playoff seeding. The Tigers have the talent to not only win their district but compete for a state title as well.
Please help keep RecruitingNewsGuru.com FREE!
If RNG has helped you, a friend, or a family member through an article, video, or stylized interview with our countless hours of free promotion for high school, junior college, and college athletes – please donate. Any amount is appreciated!
Photo Credit: The Shreveport Times; Benton QB Garrett Hables escapes a Green Oaks defender