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BENTON (WSIL) — The Benton Rangers played host to Salem Saturday.

It was a scoreless, defensive struggle through one half.

But in the fourth quarter Salem strikes first, courtesy of Keyton Mitchell as he is takes it all the way for the first touchdown of the afternoon. Wildcats added the extra point and led 7-0. 

Late in the game, Rangers were facing 4th and 20. Peyton Bayless with a lateral pass to Reid Baumgarte who finds Ayden Newcomb for the big first down and a second life for Benton. 

Keegan Glover then finds Bayless in the back of the end zone as the Rangers pull to within one. Benton goes for 2 and the win.

Glover rolls to his right and he finds Baumgarte as he’s tumbling to the ground. The conversion is good, and the Benton Rangers win a thriller. 8-7 is the final.  

The Rangers advance to round two with a record of 9 and 1.

They’ll face Effingham in the next round. The Flaming Hearts are also 9 and 1 after a 55-13 win over Breese Central.