BENICIA HIGH’S Cavon Etter (left) tries to break away from Bethel linebacker Kalen Morris. Etter ran for three touchdowns in Benicia’s 69-38 victory over the Jaguars.

It was raining points Friday night as Benicia High’s varsity football team routed host Bethel, 69-38, to keep its Solano County Athletic Conference title hopes alive.

The 69 points were the most for the Panthers in the 17-year tenure of head coach Craig Holden as Benicia (5-4, 3-1 SCAC) enjoyed its most lopsided victory of the season.

“We were able to put up a lot of points and we always had a cushion,” Holden said. “Our offense was clicking.”

Cavon Etter and Matthew Larks each had a huge first half for Benicia. Etter scored three rushing touchdowns in the game’s first 14:21 and Larks had several big punt returns, including a 75-yard TD that gave Benicia a 33-12 lead two seconds before halftime.

“That was huge for us,” Holden said. “He changed the momentum of the game.”

“I just try to be as dynamic as I can and create plays,” said Larks, who has returned three kicks for touchdowns this season.

Larks opened the second half with a 43-yard reception that set up senior running back Shevvy Franklin for a 5-yard touchdown and a commanding 41-12 lead. Franklin, who had two TDs on the night, ran for a season-high 172 yards on 20 carries and has rushed for 318 yards over the past two games.

Mario Ferreira caught a pair of touchdown passes in the third quarter, and junior cornerback Gerren Morgan returned a fumble 20 yards for a touchdown that sealed the victory. The final 7:15 was played under a running clock.

Benicia quarterback Devin Holden had another solid night, completing 6-of-12 passes for 160 yards and adding a rushing touchdown. Larks and Ferreira each had 74 receiving yards.

“We were finally able to put things together and made a lot of big plays,” Ferreira said. “Everything is starting to come together. Devin is making good throws, our offensive line is doing a great job and our receivers are back in action.”

Benicia’s defense allowed six Bethel touchdowns but forced four turnovers, with Morgan, Etter, Jalen Lane and Xavier Judkins making fumble recoveries. The Panthers led 26-0 early in the second quarter and never let the Jaguars (4-5, 2-2 SCAC) get closer than 14 points.

Benicia kicker Cody King filled in for injured center Brian McRae. The Panthers also played without regulars Koe Alava, Johnny Thymiakos, Cody Williamson and B.J. Washington.

Benicia can clinch at least a share of the SCAC championship and a playoff berth with a victory this Friday at Fairfield (1-8, 1-3 SCAC).

“We can’t take them lightly,” Larks said of the Falcons. “They’re gonna give us their best effort so we have to give them our best effort. But I feel like this is the best we’ve been all season. We’re more than ready to go into the playoffs and I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far.”

Sharing is caring!