BENTON, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — After a 2-8 finish in 2025, Benton isn’t running from last season, they’re building off it.
Head coach Stephen Dennis says the biggest difference entering his second year is that players now understand the expectations, the standard, and what it takes to compete every day.
“There’s a calmness or a comfortableness, I guess, with what we expect. I think it’s not as new anymore and I think that there’s some peace with that, you know, you kind of find your groove and you get settled in it and show up and do your work every day,” Dennis said.
The Tigers also return one of the area’s top quarterbacks in senior Malachi Zeigler. The SMU commit accounted for more than 3,000 total yards and 30 touchdowns last season, giving Benton an experienced leader under center heading into the fall.
“My leadership, that was something that I really wanted to focus on, and continue to grow in that department. That’s been a steady focal point since freshman year and I think last year I made huge strides and I believe this offseason, I’ve made some more,” Zeigler said.
“His growth over the last year has just been tremendous. I’m so incredibly proud of him, the command he has of the offense right now. I’m really, really excited to see, where he leads us offensively in the fall,” Dennis said.
While replacing a 1,000-yard receiver in Case Austin won’t be easy, Dennis believes this offense has enough playmakers to spread the ball around.
“We have a lot of guys back on the offensive line, we’re really excited about Madden Raymond, he played tight end and he’s going to play a little bit of everything for us,” Dennis said.
On the defensive side, Benton returns nine starters, giving the Tigers loads of experience.
“Beckett Moore and Jonathan Hollis were the only two returning players we had on defense last year with any Friday night experience.” Dennis said.
He continued, “Our top six on the defensive line is back and about three or four of the starting DB’s are back. So, we are expecting a lot of growth from that side of the ball.”
The players believe last year’s struggles have created a tougher, more connected group. Instead of dwelling on a 2-8 record, they’re focused on proving Benton football is headed in the right direction.
“As the years progress on, we’ll get better and better, especially with Coach Dennis coaching us now,” senior defensive end Xavier Villamore said.
“Second year in the system, you just, you feel more comfortable. Last year I felt extremely comfortable in the system. It was very sound, it was very, you know, kind of deliberate. We had an identity,” Zeigler said.
Benton opens the regular season on the road against Northwood on Friday, September 4. Kick-off is set for 7 pm.