Fearless 40: Benton Panthers

If there's one word to describe Benton football, it's consistent. For the last five seasons, the Panthers have won at least nine games. They've won four conference titles, three straight the last three years, as well as making it to four consecutive state semifinals in that span.

"We're ready to be the hunted. We talk about the weak get eaten at Benton and somebody is going to try to eat us," Benton head coach Brad Harris tells FOX 16. "We better be pretty strong because we feel like we're a pretty strong football team this year."

This season, the Panthers feel they have all the pieces to break the deadbolt off the 6A state championship door. Senior Chase Cobb has been elevated to starting quarterback, rewarded for his loyalty after learning under record-breaking QB Drew Davis the last two seasons.

"It was hard at times. I mean, I really thought that I could have played at other places, but I just knew that this is where I wanted to be and I had such a connection with my coaches," Cobb says.

"I didn't want it to be about me. I wanted it to be about the team. I'm just really glad how it all worked out and I'm ready for this year where I get the keys to the car."

Sleepwalking isn't an option. Benton's non-conference slate consists of playing last year's 5A state final teams: Joe T. Robinson and Hot Springs Lakeside. However, all eyes will be on their season opener in the Salt Bowl against 7A champion Bryant.

"We play the best team in the state of Arkansas to open the season. Since I've been here for 12 years, people can debate all they want about that. But that is a fact okay?" Harris says.

"Not many teams have had a lot of success against them, just like we have. But I get asked all the time, when are you going to beat Bryant? Well, when is anybody else going to beat them?"

Benton is chasing its first Salt Bowl victory since 2005, looking to end Bryant's 20-game win streak. The series returned to a home-and-home matchup in 2025 after being played at War Memorial for two decades.

"We had a little over 7,000 people in Benton Stadium last year and it was a great atmosphere," Harris tells FOX 16. "That was a great feeling to walk out to where our crowd dominated the crowd."

The Saline County rivalry between the Panthers and Hornets will resume as FOX 16's Fearless Friday Game of the Week on Friday night, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.