Benton outslugs Hahnville to advance in Class 5A playoffs

BENTON, La. – No. 12 Benton defeated No. 21 Hahnville 38-31 in a dramatic Class 5A playoff game Friday night.

The winning score in a back-and-forth battle came on a 95-yard touchdown run from Ethan Johnson with 5:11 to go in the fourth quarter.

In a game of big plays, Hahnville got things started with 58-yard pass from Donovan Friloux to Josh Joseph early on to make it 7-0. The visitors in a battle of Tigers tacked on to their lead with 10-yard touchdown run from K’Jon Smith to double Hahnville’s lead less tha seven minutes into the contest.

Benton found the promised land with an explosive 80-yard touchdown from Pearce Russell on the next play from scrimmage.

An 11 yard run from Greg Manning tied the score on Benton’s next possession.

Hahnville took the lead back on a 5-yard touchdown run from Cinsere Simmons but missed the point after five minutes in the second period.

Manning’s second scoring run, a 3-yard touchdown, helped the host Tigers take a 21-20 edge with 3:14 to go before the break.

RJ Moore converted a 40-yard field goal before an 8-yard touchdown pass from Gray Walters to Pearce Russell boosted Benton to a 31-20 advantage.

Not deterred, Hahnville evened the game up with scores on their next two possessions, a 32-yard field goal from Tate White to start the fourth quarter and a 10-yard touchdown run from Donovan Friloux followed by a successful two point conversion with 5:28 remaining.

Johnson’s long game-winning run capped an explosive way to start the postseason and shut down a valiant road effort by Hahnville.

“This was very exciting game and our special teams was lights out,” said Benton head coach Reynolds Moore.

Benton will travel to play a dangerous Ruston team next Friday night in the second round.