Benton rolls past Vinton-Shellsburg to kick off promising high school football season

VINTON — Despite the Week 1 penalty bug, Benton Community kicked off the season in style, blitzing Vinton-Shellsburg, 48-0, Friday night in Vinton.

The Bobcats leveraged their experience, bulk on both sides of the line, and an explosive night from their quarterback to overcome a number of self-inflicted wounds.

Qarterback Carson Nolan set off a monster night by calling his own number, taking a shotgun snap down the left side for a 75-yard touchdown 13 seconds into the game.

“We had that play drawn up for a while,” Nolan said. “The line did a great job getting out to the edge. (Vinton-Shellsburg) really stacked the box. We took advantage and went to the outside.”

A steady barrage of flags plagued the Bobcats throughout the first half. Benton Community was penalized 10 times for 100 yards. Three more were declined. False starts, holding, personal fouls, there was a bit of everything.

“It’s definitely just a Week 1 thing,” Nolan said of the penalties. “It’s a rivalry too, just getting a little chippy.”

With Nolan behind the mammoth Benton Community offensive line, it mattered little. Nolan consistently bailed the Bobcats out of long-yardage situations with his legs.

Following a four-play, 49-yard drive, three penalties backed the Bobcats up to the Vinton-Shellsburg 40 on their third possession. Facing second-and-27, Nolan found a hole on the left side and cut to the sideline for his second score and a 20-0 Benton Community lead.

After picking up 11 on a fourth-and-9, Nolan squeezed through another hole on fourth-and-7 for a 19-yard touchdown.

The Vikings opened the season with 19 sophomores on their 34-player roster. One bright spot was sophomore quarterback Colt Koeppen. Koeppen showed poise, escapability, and a nice touch. With 4:40 remaining in the half, Koeppen fell victim to a stroke of bad luck as his pass bounced off a receiver, into the arms of Nolan, who raced 28 yards into the end zone for his fourth score of the night.

Nolan added a 19-yard touchdown pass to Eli Patterson as the Bobcats entered the break leading 41-0.

Nolan rushed for 171 yards on seven carries, adding 94 yards through the air.

Patterson collected another tipped ball and took it back 24 yards for another score to open the second half and close the scoring.

The Bobcats outgained Vinton-Shellsburg, 388-150.

For a team that is looking to improve upon last season’s 5-4 record, opening night represented a positive first step.

“We’re looking to win a district title,” Nolan said. “Get to the Dome and win a state championship.”

The Bobcats will learn a lot about themselves over the course of the next two weeks. Benton Community travels to Marion before hosting fifth-ranked Mount Vernon.