Benton High School football knocks out Van Horn in Class 4 District Quarterfinals; Cardinals’ first playoff win since 2019

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) - The Benton High School football team was down 16-14 at the halftime break but stormed back in the second half to defeat Van Horn 50-30 in the Class 4 District Quarterfinals.

It's the first playoff win for Benton since 2019.

"Knowing that it was win or go home, we made a handful of mistakes early offensively, missed a couple of opportunities, didn't play great defensively. But they're pretty talented on the other side of the football there," said Benton head coach Mark Cole. "Then we woke up, we rallied and we came out of the locker room at halftime and we just really kind of got after it and played Cardinal football."

"I didn't think it was going to happen, but the dignity we've had coming through the season, it's just been great," said Benton senior quarterback Boston Cook. "To come out here and play this game with the boiys I love, I've been doing this since freshman year, it means a lot to me."

Benton improves to 6-4 on the season and now has a tall order in the District Semifinals as the Cardinals will next play at #1 Kearney on Friday, November 6th, time TBD.