With a 44-28 road victory over the Tunica Blue Devils last Friday, the Benton Academy Raiders improved to 3-3 on the season.
The Raiders, winners of three of their last four games got big-time performances from Clayton Saxton and Peyton McGlawn against Tunica.
Saxton and McGlawn each had three touchdowns apiece as the Raiders made short work of the Blue Devils.
Saxton scored on runs of two, 30, and 63 yards while McGlawn scored on runs of three, seven and 10 yards.
The Raiders got off to a rocky start and suffered a devestating blow in Week 3 when starting quarteback Tanner Vandevere was lost for the season with a shoulder injury.
The Raiders, however, stepped up and are looking like the squad BA head coach Bryan Dendy thought they could blossom into.
“I think we’re playing better and we still have a long way to go but we seem to be on the right track and we hope to keep it going,” said Dendy. “Clayton is a senior with a lot of leadership and he’s a good athlete,” said Dendy. “He’s stepped in and given us the opportunity to win some games and has played well so far.”
Saxton was a force to be reckoned with against Tunica, rushing for 163 yards and 3 touchdowns on 13 carries.
Not to be outdone, McGlawn was right alongside Saxton with 13 carries for 129 yards and three touchdowns of his own.
Robles had three carries for 20 yards.
Saxton also connected on 4-of-6 passes for 85 yards.
Ethan Shanks was the top receiver with two receptions for 48 yards and Robles had two catches for 37 yards.
Cullen McCain had 10 tackles and a sack to lead the BA defense.
McGlawn and Cooper Freeman each had six tackles, Drake Carpenter and Noah Edge had five tackles apiece and Shanks had five pass breakups.
The Raiders hope to keep the momentum going this week when they host Deer Creek for Homecoming.
