Benton is led by All-State Senior QB Keegan Glover. He’s throwing for six touchdowns four times this season. | Twitter/Benton High School
Benton is led by All-State Senior QB Keegan Glover. He’s throwing for six touchdowns four times this season. | Twitter/Benton High School
Of the 64 teams advancing to the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) quarterfinals Saturday, two are from Southeast Illinois.
No. 3 Benton (11-0) will play at No. 2 Mt. Carmel (11-0) in the 3A quarterfinals.
In first-round play, Benton trounced Piasa Southwestern (42-0) and Mt. Carmel defeated St. Joseph-Ogden (46-14).
The second round saw Benton overcome Monticello by a score of 42-12, Mt. Carmel defeated Carlinville, 54-7.
This is Benton’s first undefeated season since 2001. QB Glover Keegan has thrown for 2,153 yards and 77 touchdowns, both school records. Wide receiver Reid Baumgarte has 929 receiving yards and 21 touchdowns, also school records.
Mt. Carmel’s last undefeated regular season was 2016. The Golden Aces are led by all-state senior running back Zeke Hadra, senior wide receiver Zach Allen and sophomore quarterback Blayne Sisson.
Mt. Carmel has won its quarterfinal appearances in 2014 (36-29 over Robinson), 2011 (33-21 over Anna-Jonesboro) and 2010 (35-0 over DuQuoin) but lost in 2013 (71-70 to Greenville).
Benton hasn’t reached the 3A quarterfinals since 2002, when it lost 45-6 to Mt. Carmel. In 2001, it reached the state semifinals, also losing to Mt. Carmel, 35-22.
Southeast Illinois High Schools in the IHSA Quarterfinals
3A
#3 Benton (11-0) at #2 Mt. Carmel (11-0), Saturday, Nov. 13, 2 p.m.
Alerts Sign-up