Wildcats set to close season against Benton
<p class="p1">The Anna-Jonesboro Community High School football team closes out its 2015 season on Senior Night at The Pit this Friday against Benton.</p><p class="p1">Game time is set for 7 p.m. The game will be aired on WIBH radio in Anna.</p><p class="p1">The Rangers are 2-6 after losing 49-14 to Murphysboro last week. The Wildcats improved to 3-5 with a big 28-0 victory over Sparta.</p><p class="p1">“We could be sitting with five wins,” said a disappointed Benton coach Jeremy Clodfelder. “We’ve lost some close games. We’ve had our ups and downs since we beat Carterville.”</p><p class="p1">Benton defeated a very competitive Carterville team in the opening game of the season. Benton’s only other win was over county rival West Frankfort.</p><p class="p1">“It’s been a painfully long year,” Clodfelder said. “We’ve been kind of limping through the season.” </p><p class="p1">Starting sophomore quarterback Hamilton Page, 5-10, 145 pounds, has been injured recently, but could be back for the final game.</p><p class="p1">Senior Caleb Rock, 5-10, 155 pounds, was the back up last week and completed 12 of 20 passes for 124 yards.</p><p class="p1">The backfield workhorses have been senior Clay Kelley, 5-9, 150 pounds, who had 56 yards rushing in 11 carries in the loss. Junior Jourdan Garbo, 5-11, 190 pounds, is the other top running back.</p><p class="p1">Top offensive linemen have been senior Tyler Ore, 6-1, 230 pounds; Raymond Smothers, 5-9, 200 pounds; junior Gavin Richardson, 5-10, 190 pounds; and sophomore Blane Pankey, 5-10, 200 pounds.</p><p class="p1">Defensive standouts have been senior Jordan Kulich, 5-7, 170 pounds; senior Chase Owens, 5-10, 150 pounds; senior Cole Richardson, 5-10, 155 pounds and Pankey.</p><p class="p1">In looking ahead to this Friday night’s opponent, Clodfelder noted that A-J “ran ran the ball effectively against Sparta” last week.</p><p class="p1">“We’re going to have to play disciplined and have a tremendous effort to beat them. We need to show up with a lot of energy.”</p>