Benton Cardinals Secure First Winning Season Since 2010
The Cardinals defeated the Chillicothe Hornets to finish the regular season with a 5-4 record.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Football
The Benton Cardinals earned a 31-20 home victory over the Chillicothe Hornets. This win officially secured the Cardinals their first winning regular season record since 2010.
Why it matters
The result represents a significant turnaround for the Benton football program, marking the end of a long-standing trend of non-winning seasons. Achieving a 5-4 record provides the team with momentum heading into the upcoming district playoffs.
Benton concluded the regular season with a 5-4 record after defeating Chillicothe by a score of 31-20. This marks the team's first winning season in 16 years.
The players
Benton Cardinals
The Benton Cardinals are the high school football team representing Benton High School in Saint Joseph, Missouri.
Chillicothe Hornets
The Chillicothe Hornets are the high school football team that competed against Benton in the regular season finale.
Van Horn Falcons
The Van Horn Falcons are the upcoming opponent for the Cardinals in the district playoff round.
The details
The Cardinals secured the victory on their home turf, relying on a balanced effort to overcome the Hornets. The win acts as a capstone to a 2026 campaign that has seen the team reach the five-win threshold for the first time in over a decade.
Timeline
The Benton Cardinals defeated the Chillicothe Hornets 31-20 on October 23, 2026.
Benton last achieved a winning record during the 2010 season.
The Cardinals will play the Van Horn Falcons in the district round on October 29, 2026.
Season Trajectory
By achieving a winning record, the Cardinals have successfully altered the long-term trajectory of the football program after sixteen years of struggling to reach .500. This victory positions the team as a legitimate contender for the upcoming district playoffs against the Van Horn Falcons.
With a 5-4 record, the Cardinals have qualified for the district playoffs. The team will now shift focus to their upcoming district matchup against the Van Horn Falcons at Sparks Field.
The takeaway
Maintaining this momentum will be critical as the team transitions from regular season play into the high-stakes environment of district competition. Fans should look for the team to carry their recent offensive success into the upcoming playoff game.
What happens next
The Benton Cardinals will host the Van Horn Falcons for district play on October 29, 2026, at 7 p.m.
Further reading
For more news on local high school sports, visit the Saint Joseph Football section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KQ2 | St. Joseph, Missouri News, Weather & Sports.
