For a second straight week Benton Academy took the field with several key players out with injuries or illness against a strong opponent.
Despite a strong start by the Raiders, Central Holmes cruised to a 49-13 win.
The Raiders defense struck first with Colin Washington blocking a punt and taking the ball into the endzone.
Evan Michael Williams added the extra point kick for a 7-0 lead with 10:29 to go in the first quarter.
The celebration would be short-lived, however, as Trojans quarterback John Ward scored a 35-yard touchdown to tie the game with 9:02 left in the first quarter.
Cooper Freeman recovered the kickoff on the 34 to set up the next drive.
Clayton Saxton, making his debut at quarterback, had a four-yard keeper and completed a first down pass to Garrett Vandevere, but the Raiders offense was unable to get anything else going and had to punt.
Cullen McCain made a pair of tackles on the next drive, and Vandevere made stop to force a punt, but the Trojans got an interception that set up Ward’s second touchdown of the night on a 42-yard run up the middle.
Central Holmes then recovered an onside kick. Kendall Walker and Garrett Vandevere got a stop for a big loss, but Ward broke loose for his third touchdown on a 21-yard carry to make it 21-7 in the second quarter.
Eli Kemp scored on a six-yard carry to give the Trojans a 35-7 lead that would stand at halftime.
Vandevere had a nice return to the 39 to open the third quarter, but the Trojans defense forced another punt that set up a 65-yard touchdown for a 42-7 lead.
Waylen Dewitt had a first down run to set up a five-yard touchdown keeper by Saxton to cut it to 42-13, but Central Holmes quickly responded with a touchdown on the kickoff return.
This week the Raiders hit the road for the season finale at Sylva Bay.
