A-J overpowers Benton 56-22 to gain spot in 2010 playoffs

The Anna-Jonesboro High School football team had lost its three previous games largely in part due to  mistakes and fumbles.

But last Friday night, the Wildcats appeared to have apparently remedied some of those miscues on their way to an overpowering 56-22 victory over host Benton.

Both A-J and Benton faced must-win situations in the game in terms of their 2010 postseason hopes.

“Our kids played with a sense of urgency,” A-J head football coach Brett Detering said. “They played like it was their last game.”

The win propelled the Wildcats, who improved to 6-3, to a Class 3A playoff berth next Saturday. The Rangers were eliminiated from playoff contention with a 5-4 record. The playoff berth was the 11th consecutive for the Wildcats.

“You never want to be the group that stops a playoff run,” Detering said. “You always want to end the (regular) season on a win and play as many weeks as we’re able.”

The Rangers had three interceptions and five lost fumbles.

“They’ve had some turnover problems their last couple of games, but our defense did a nice job,” Detering said. “They did a good job of creating turnovers. We played very, very aggressive by attacking the football and it caused a lot of those turnovers.”

The Rangers drove deep into Wildcat territory on the game’s initial drive, but a fumble turned the ball over at the 5-yard line.

A-J moved to midfield and was forced to punt, but a high center snap over punter Dalton Baker’s head gave the Rangers the ball deep in Wildcat territory.

In three plays, Benton quarterback Tyler Leffler scored on a 5-yard run. The extra point kick missed and the Rangers led 6-0 with 1:54 remaining in the first quarter.

The Wildcats struck back quickly.

Baker scored on a 52-yard run to cap a three-play drive. Taylor Fitzgerald ran in the conversion points and the Wildcats held an 8-6 lead with 26 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Following a Ranger punt, A-J was on the move again.

Quarterback Aaron Smithey scored on a 27-yard run after a six-play drive. Jaden Ayers’ extra point kick put the Wildcats on top 15-6 with 9:04 remaining in the first half.

A-J’s Jerad Merriman recovered a Benton fumble to set up the next Wildcat score.

Following a 10-play drive, Fitzgerald scored on a 1-yard plunge. Ayers kick was off but A-J led 21-6 with 2:38 remaining in the first half.

Brady Wright ended the Rangers final drive of the first half when he grasp the football out of quarterback Leffler’s hands.

The Wildcats didn’t waste a lot of time getting their offense going in the second half.

After a three-play drive, Smithey scored on a 65-yard TD run. Fitzgerald ran in the conversion points and the Wildcats took a commanding 29-6 lead with 10:27 remaining in the third quarter.

The Rangers came back with a 11-play drive to score on an 18-yard TD strike from Leffler to Cody Smith. Colby Allen scored the conversion points on a pass from Leffler and Benton pulled to 29-14 with 7:32 remaining in the third quarter.

After a Benton onside kick failed when A-J’s Merriman caught the ball near midfield, the Wildcats were off again.

Baker scored on a 20-yard run after a six-play drive. Ayers kick boosted the Wildcats to a 36-14 lead with 4:33 remaining in the third quarter.

After a lengthy 11-play drive, Leffler connected with Dylan Sheets for  a 6-yard TD pass. Leffler’s conversion pass to Mason Childers pulled the Rangers to 36-22 with 2:05 remaining in the third stanza.

A-J’s next drive was thwarted and Benton’s ensuing drive stalled when Brad Cerney intercepted a Leffler pass.

After a five-play drive, Smithey scored on a 1-yard run. Ayers’ kick boosted the Wildcats to a 43-22 lead with 9:14 remaining in the final quarter.

The fireworks wasn’t over yet.

A-J’s Chase Hargrave intercepted a Leffler pass to set up the next score.

Smithey scampered 77-yards for a TD on the ensuing play. Ayers kick was off and A-J was ahead 49-22 with 7:39 remaining in the final quarter.

Smithey closed out the scoring with a 45-yard TD strike to Hargraves to cap a four-play drive. Ayers kicked his fourth extra point of the game with 4:09 remaining in the game.

Dalton Yunker intercepted another Leffler pass in the waning minutes to end the final Benton offensive threat.

Smithey had 186 yards rushing on 9 carries and scored 4 TDs to lead the Wildcats. Baker had 122 yards on 9 carries and scored a pair of TDs. Fitzgerald added 111 yards on 27 carries and scored a TD.

“Aaron did a good job of running our offense,” Detering said. “With our quarterback (Smithey) and fullback (Fitzgerald) pounding up the middle, Dalton had some good runs on counter plays around the perimeter.”

The Rangers rushed for 110 yards and Leffler was 26 of 43 passing for 285 yard with three costly interceptions.

“We  gave up a lot of yardage,” Detering said. “But we created a lot of turnovers that caused them to drive the length of the field.”