Benjamin Mustangs
Head Coach: Nathan Hayes
Last Season: 15-0; 4-0 in district (Defeated Oglesby in 1A Division II State Championship)
Benjamin Key Players and Storylines
Benjamin locked up its second-straight state title with an 82-34 win over Oglesby last December. However, the eight months since have been a whirlwind up in Knox County.
Grayson Rigdon, the three-time state champion who accounted for 96 touchdowns last year for the Mustangs, transferred to Columbus. Head coach Nathan Hayes also seemed set to leave after reportedly agreeing to a deal to become the head coach at Baird.
However, it appears Hayes has decided to stay in Benjamin, a big boost for the Mustangs since that means they’ll still have sophomore Keegan Hayes (796 passing yards, 699 rushing yards, and 623 receiving yards) and senior quarterback Tallon Hayes this fall. Keegan looks set to be Benjamin’s do-it-all player this fall after that strong sophomore campaign.
TWO GAMES TWO WALK OFFS TO START UIL STATE!!
1A D2 final
Benjamin 82
Oglesby 34
(5:52 Q3)Benjamin with back to back titles! @graysonrigdon1 to Keegan Hayes from 24 yards!
Grayson 6 rush td
3 pass td 1 rec td #txhsfb #UILState @GMsportsmedia1 pic.twitter.com/XXwZm4YshE— Brian Gosset (@Gosset41) December 13, 2023
Keegan (145 total tackles) and Tallon (141 total tackles) will lead the defense. They were Benjamin’s two-leading tacklers last season. Defensive end Hudson Cates (58 tackles) and nose guard Kadosa Papp (39 tackles) should make their presence felt up front. Cates was a second team all-state pick last season, while Papp was a second team all-region pick.
You can’t replace a player like Grayson Rigdon. However, the Hayes brothers will still give Benjamin a shot at being among the state’s elite. The Mustangs won’t be a heavy favorite like the last two seasons, but count them out at your own peril.
Benjamin 2024 Schedule
9/6 vs. Follett
9/13 vs. Borden County
9/26 vs. Lueders-Avoca
10/4 at Cherokee
10/11 at Guthrie
10/25 vs. Chillicothe
11/1 at Crowell
11/8 vs. Harrold
