By LEE HILLER, Journal Sports

Benton High School has never been afraid to schedule tough opponents and its 2022 schedule is no different.

The Tigers will have the seven District 1-5A opponents as usual. Highlighting their three non-district opponents to start the season is Newman of New Orleans and heralded quarterback Arch Manning. The Greenies, who finished 7-3 last fall after being eliminated from the Division III playoffs in the semifinals, will host Benton in the third week of the season.

Benton will start its season the same as it did last year, against Northwood. The Falcons have had a winning season the past five years and were knocked out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals by the eventual state champs in Class 4A. The Tigers, who will host Northwood, have won five of the last six between the schools.

The Tigers will then host one of the top East Texas schools in Class 5A the past two years, Texas High out of Texarkana. The Tigers have a 23-2 record the past two seasons after a 12-1 mark in 2021.

District 1-5A games fill out the next seven playing dates with rival Airline coming to Tiger Stadium Sept. 23.  Byrd will visit Benton in week five before the Tigers hit the road for games at Natchitoches Central, Southwood and Haughton. The last home game of the regular season will be Captain Shreve and the regular season ends at Parkway.

Benton 2022 schedule

Sept. 2 vs. Northwood

Sept. 9 vs. Texas High

Sept. 16 at Newman

Sept. 23 vs. Airline

Sept. 30 vs. Byrd

Oct. 7 at Natchitoches

Oct. 14 at Southwood

Oct. 21 at Haughton

Oct. 28 vs. Captain Shreve

Nov. 4 at Parkway

Contact Lee at lee.hiller51@gmail.com