Sports
Graf finds running room in 226-yard effort
Dastrup gets back in action; leads defense in 36-7 win
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
After struggling to hold on to the ball for the last two weeks, the Benson Bobcats got their act together on Friday night, with Kyle Graf leading the way with 226 yards and three touchdowns.
Graf led the 36-7 victory over 2A East opponent Thatcher, improving the Bobcats' record to 3-1 for the season.
Thatcher was the first of three road games for the Bobcats that look to remain on top in the 2A East Conference.
The Bobcats had a big addition on the field Friday night, as fullback Dain Dastrup was back in action. As coaches had high hopes for the hard-hitting senior in pre-season, he suffered a neck injury that kept him from playing the first three games.
Friday night, he came back in a big way, rushing for 38 yards on offense, and on defense stepped it up to wrap up 7 solo tackles, 1 sack and 3 assists.
Graf said having Dastrup back on the field gives the Bobcats more "edge" on both sides of the ball, while noting that the team pulled together to play 48 minutes of ball Friday night.
Coming into the game with a 0-3 record, Thatcher jumped on the board first, scoring a touchdown on a 7-yard run in the first quarter. With the field goal splitting the uprights, the Eagles took a 7-0 lead over Benson.
The Bobcats came back strong in the opening quarter. Mark Mabry scored on a 9-yard keeper. After missing the extra point, the Bobcats trailed the Eagles 7-6.
Before the end of the opening quarter, the Bobcats' special teams got into the action, when Erin Merrill blocked a punt, and returned it for the score. Graf run in the two-point attempt, to give the Bobcats a 14-7 lead. Merrill also had 46 yards on offense.
In the second quarter, Graf ripped off a 45-yard run, scoring again before halftime, giving the Bobcats a 21-7 lead.
In the second half, the Bobcats' continued their ground attack, with Graf scoring from 22 yards out in the third quarter.
In the fourth, Graf scored from 13 yards out, and Mabry connected with Tyler Denewith for the two-point conversion.
The Bobcats' passing game struggled again Friday night, as Mabry failed to complete a pass and threw two interceptions.
Mabry got one of those back on defense, however, bringing down an interception of his own.
"We played better this week, but we are not where we need to be," said Coach Chris Determan. "The offensive line did a much better job of opening holes, but we are still sliding off of blocks and missing some assignments. It was a step in the right direction, but we cannot let our guard down. We need to continue to improve each week."
The schedule only gets harder for the Bobcats, as conference play continues. This week they will travel to Bisbee, to play the much-improved Pu-mas.
Benson, Bisbee and Willcox each have 3-1 records, while Morenci currently leads the division at 4-0.
Determan said there is no doubt that Bisbee and other teams in the conference have better teams this season, and Benson is going to have to improve weekly.
The Bobcats will play Bisbee Friday night at 7 p.m.
Thelma Grimes/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
After struggling to hold on to the ball for the last two weeks, the Benson Bobcats got their act together on Friday night, with Kyle Graf leading the way with 226 yards and three touchdowns.
Graf led the 36-7 victory over 2A East opponent Thatcher, improving the Bobcats' record to 3-1 for the season.
Thatcher was the first of three road games for the Bobcats that look to remain on top in the 2A East Conference.
The Bobcats had a big addition on the field Friday night, as fullback Dain Dastrup was back in action. As coaches had high hopes for the hard-hitting senior in pre-season, he suffered a neck injury that kept him from playing the first three games.
Friday night, he came back in a big way, rushing for 38 yards on offense, and on defense stepped it up to wrap up 7 solo tackles, 1 sack and 3 assists.
Graf said having Dastrup back on the field gives the Bobcats more "edge" on both sides of the ball, while noting that the team pulled together to play 48 minutes of ball Friday night.
Coming into the game with a 0-3 record, Thatcher jumped on the board first, scoring a touchdown on a 7-yard run in the first quarter. With the field goal splitting the uprights, the Eagles took a 7-0 lead over Benson.
The Bobcats came back strong in the opening quarter. Mark Mabry scored on a 9-yard keeper. After missing the extra point, the Bobcats trailed the Eagles 7-6.
Before the end of the opening quarter, the Bobcats' special teams got into the action, when Erin Merrill blocked a punt, and returned it for the score. Graf run in the two-point attempt, to give the Bobcats a 14-7 lead. Merrill also had 46 yards on offense.
In the second quarter, Graf ripped off a 45-yard run, scoring again before halftime, giving the Bobcats a 21-7 lead.
In the second half, the Bobcats' continued their ground attack, with Graf scoring from 22 yards out in the third quarter.
In the fourth, Graf scored from 13 yards out, and Mabry connected with Tyler Denewith for the two-point conversion.
The Bobcats' passing game struggled again Friday night, as Mabry failed to complete a pass and threw two interceptions.
Mabry got one of those back on defense, however, bringing down an interception of his own.
"We played better this week, but we are not where we need to be," said Coach Chris Determan. "The offensive line did a much better job of opening holes, but we are still sliding off of blocks and missing some assignments. It was a step in the right direction, but we cannot let our guard down. We need to continue to improve each week."
The schedule only gets harder for the Bobcats, as conference play continues. This week they will travel to Bisbee, to play the much-improved Pu-mas.
Benson, Bisbee and Willcox each have 3-1 records, while Morenci currently leads the division at 4-0.
Determan said there is no doubt that Bisbee and other teams in the conference have better teams this season, and Benson is going to have to improve weekly.
The Bobcats will play Bisbee Friday night at 7 p.m.
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