Johnson, Karnes lead Herrin to conference victory over Benton

BENTON - Playmakers make big plays.

Herrin's Tate Johnson scored three touchdowns, including a 95-yard kickoff return and 93-yard pass reception and quarterback Chance Karnes passed for two scores and ran for another, igniting the Tigers' offense in a 49-7 SIRR Ohio victory at Benton.

Benton stayed on offense the entire first quarter, taking a 7-0 lead on the first play of the second quarter on a Blake Stewart 13-yard pass reception from Grant Gordon.

Herrin responded with three touchdowns to take a 21-7 lead to the lockers.

Karnes scored on a 13-yard run, Jackson Yates took it in from 28 yards out just under the five-minute mark and Johnson scored his first TD on a 93-yard pass reception in the closing seconds of the half. The pass play is the longest in Herrin school history.

It was Johnson's 95-yard kickoff return to start the second half that led to the second half beatdown.

"We've got big-play capability and that really got us going and got some momentum for us in the second half," said Herrin coach Jason Karnes.

"Right now, four weeks into the season, we've been a great second-half team. When we put four quarters together, this team can be really special," he added.

Matthew Brandon hauled in a 25-yard pass from Karnes on Herrin's next possession; and following a Benton fumble near midfield, the Tigers took a 42-7 lead on a Yates 21-yard run.

Johnson scored his final touchdown of 23 yards following another Benton turnover – a pass intercepted by Reice Hartline. That gave the Tigers a running clock with just two minutes to play in the third quarter.

"In the first half, we had at least three holding penalties and two bad snaps on punts. Take those five plays away from that first half and I think it's a little different," said Benton coach Justin Groves. "The momentum can be a big deal when you're fighting for every yard. When you have penalties, turnovers and bad snaps, you can't have that and beat that team. That's a very good football team."

Herrin improved to 3-1 and 1-1 in the Ohio Division while the Rangers remain winless after four weeks.