Benton hopes to put damper on A-J’s postseason hopes

The Benton High School football team is 3-5 overall and out of the running for a postseason playoff berth.

On the other hand, Anna-Jonesboro is sitting at 5-3 and remains in the hunt for a postseason appearance.

The two teams collide at “The Pit” on A-J’s Senior Night this Friday to close out the 2009 regular season.

The game, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will be aired on WIBH radio in Anna. The game also can be heard online by visiting <a href="http://www.annanews.com">www.annanews.com</a>.

Rangers head coach Jeremy Clodfelder would like nothing better than an upset victory.

“We’re looking at a spoiler role,” Clodfelder said. “We know we’re out of the playoffs and a win would be a big springboard going into the off-season.”

The Rangers lost in overtime to a good Massac County team earlier in the season.

“We have been competitive this year,” Clodfelder said. “But we’re still in the rebuilding process until we get this team turned around.”

Despite trailing Herrin by only 7-0 at the half last Friday, the Rangers came up short 47-0.

“It was a good Herrin team,” Clodfelder said. “But we were undermanned Friday. We have a lot of injuries.”

A-J head coach Brett Detering sees some similarities between the two opponents.

“They’re battling injuries,” Detering said. “They’re fighting some of the things we are.”

Clodfelder said the team’s quarterback, Quincy Hamilton, has been hampered by an injury and sophomore Tyler Leffler, 5-11, 165 pounds has been running the squad. He passed for 75 yards against the Tigers. Hamilton’s status is uncertain for the game.

Senior Hunter Clark, a 5-9, 155 pounder, is the top receiver. He had 24 yards on 3 receptions last week.

The top running back for the Rangers is senior Jake Yarnell, 5-7, 215 pounds, who rushed for 46 yards in 14 carries last week.

Senior running backs Caleb Buntin, 5-9, 185 pounds, and Miguel Martinez, 6-1, 175 pounds, have both been injured but could be in the lineup this week.

The main offensive linemen are senior Brett Park, 5-9, 240 pounds; senior Miner Devan, 6-4, 275 pounds; senior Mark Uhles, 5-10, 225 pounds; and junior Hunter Rone, 5-11, 200 pounds.

The top defender for the Rangers is linebacker Landon Stewart, a 5-10, 170 pound junior. Other top defenders are linebacker Rone, corner backs Clark and sophomore Trey Garrett, 5-11, 165 pounds and linemen include senior Daniel DeForest, 6-2, 175 pounds, and sophomore Landon LaBuwi, 5-10, 170 pounds.

“We have to tackle and be disciplined to beat Anna,” Clodfelder said. “They run a lot of things offensively we’ll have to try and stop.”

Detering knows everything is on the line for his squad.

“We have to come out and make plays and get the job done this week, if we’re looking to get into the playoffs,” he said.