7/6/2017 football Edit

Team Preview: Benton

Tim OHalloran • EdgyTim

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25 year publisher and sole owner/creator of EDGYTIM.com

EDGYTIM.com previews the 2017 Benton Rangers here. For more in depth preseason coverage including state wide team coverage along with daily recruiting news and updates, make sure to subscribe to the EDGY Nation today.

School: Benton

Mascot: Rangers

Conference: Southern Illinois River to River (Ohio)

Team Twitter:

Head Coach: Bob Pankey

Assistant Coaches: Josh Kinsman Landon Stewart Sean Docherty Tim Corn Derek Stowers Brandon Koester Casey McCommons Ron Winemiller

2016 results: 4-5 (2-3 Southern Ill River to River Ohio Conference). The Rangers failed to qualify for the 2016 IHSA state playoff field.

2017 Benton Rangers schedule

1. Rangers vs Carterville--Aug 25

2. Rangers @ Sparta--Sept 1

3. Rangers vs Pinckneyville--Sept 8

4. Rangers @ Herrin--Sept 15

5. Rangers @ West Frankfort--Sept 23

6. Rangers vs Harrisburg--Sept 29

7. Rangers vs Massac County--Oct 6

8. Rangers @ Murphysboro--Oct 13

9. Rangers @ Anna-Jonesboro--Oct 20

Returning Offensive Starters

Hamilton Page/QB/5-11/170/2018

Blane Pankey/RB/5-11/210/2018

Joe Craig/WR/6-2/170/2019

Cade Thomas/WR/5-7/140/2018

Ty Gordon/WR & RB/5-10/170/2018

Warren Smothers/OL/5-9/230/2018

Carston Sanders/OL/5-9/245/2019

Returning Defensive Starters

Blane Pankey/LB/5-11/210/2018

Joe Craig/DB/6-2/170/2019

Cade Thomas/DB/5-7/140/2018

Ty Gordon/DB/5-10/170/2018

Warren Smothers/DL & LB/5-9/230/2018

Neal Carlton/DB/5-10/160/2018

Andrew Dunn/LB/5-10/180/2019

Newcomers to Watch

Tyler Butler/OL & DL/2020

2017 Benton Rangers summer Camp/7on7 plans

N/A

Top Impact Player for Benton in 2017? The Rangers have a good core of returning starters back this fall. Keep an eye on senior LB/RB Blane Pankey along with senior QB Hamilton Page as keys this fall.

Biggest Concern heading into 2017? Can the Rangers get over the hump and into the state playoffs this fall? The Rangers have been to the state playoffs just twice since 2003, yet confidence is high heading into the 2017 season.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early Take on the 2017 Benton Rangers?

Benton went 4-5 a season ago but in all honesty the Rangers really didn't fare well against some of the better teams on the schedule. However, with 14 returning starters back in 2017 (7 offense 7 defense) this might be the Rangers best chance to crack the state playoff field over the past few years.

EDGYTIM's Way Too Early regular season record prediction for the Benton Rangers? 5-4/4-5