Friday night it wasn’t quite enough.

Senior running back Jimmy Valentine rushed for 167 yards on 14 carries and scored a pair of touchdowns — one in each half — and Bennett’s defense bent but didn’t break as the Tigers left Strider Field with a 14-7 victory before a large homecoming crowd.

The victory raised Bennett’s record to 4-1 overall and 3-0 in the division, while the Red & Green suffered its second straight loss and fell to 2-3 and 1-2.

“I’m really proud of our guys,” Langworthy said, “because we battled. We played hard, we played physical. … We talk a lot about fundamentals and details, and I know we’re getting better, but ultimately we want that reflected in wins.”

Jamestown running back Chase Bonta attempts to power through Bennett’s Na’Cere Johnson for yardage during Friday’s Class AA football game at Strider Field. P-J photo by Tim Frank

As it turned out, it was the little things that came back to bite Jamestown, especially after intermission when it fumbled away its first possession of the third quarter — which led to a Valentine TD — and then turned the ball over on downs three other times.

The most critical failed opportunity came when Langworthy’s crew, trailing 14-0, moved the ball 73 yards in six plays to the Tigers’ 7-yard line. But Bennett kept the hosts out of the end zone on four straight runs, including the final one by Chase Bonta on fourth-and-goal from the 1.

“When you get inside the five, you’ve got to get in,” Langworthy said. “You have to be able to seize the moment right there. There’s just little, small details.”

Jamestown did finally narrow the lead to 14-7 on its next possession after forcing a punt that netted only 10 yards. From Bennett’s 43-yard line, the Red & Green, behind the one-two punch of Bonta and freshman Alaric Richards, needed nine plays to reach the end zone on Bonta’s 5-yard run. Evan Maloney’s successful point-after kick pulled Jamestown to within one score.

“I thought the little adjustment to get into more of a heavy, physical package was good for us, and it gave us a little bit of misdirection with Alaric in the second half.”

Former Buffalo Bill Fred Jackson throws a T-shirt into the stands at Strider Field. P-J photo by Tim Frank

Could the Red & Green make another improbable comeback like it did two weeks ago against Lancaster?

Not quite.

Jamestown did have two fourth-quarter drives deep into Tigers’ territory, including the final one that reached Bennett’s 14 with a minute remaining, but it ultimately stalled thanks to a penalty, a sack and an incompletion. The Tigers took over on downs and ran out the clock.

“I’m proud of our guys,” Langworthy said, “but as a head coach I have to continue to push them and teach them and they have to continue to be coachable, and they’ve been great with that. When you lose, it’s disappointing, but you have to lose and learn, so that the next week out you can have more success.”

NOTES: Bonta led the Red & Green with, unofficially, 179 yards on 39 carries. … Richards chipped in 57 yards on 15 trips. … Jamestown will be back in action next Friday when it travels to Buffalo to take on Hutch Tech. … Bennett will travel to Lockport a week from today. … Former Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson made a special appearance as part of the NFL’s Rivalries Week. The event included an interactive fan zone with games, giveaways and photo opportunities. Jackson and mascot Billy Buffalo even through T-shirts into the bleachers.

Bennett 0 6 8 0 — 14

Jamestown 0 0 7 0 — 7

Ben–Valentine 10 run (run failed)

Ben–Valentine 2 run (Eskridge IV run)

Jam–Bonta 5 run (Maloney kick)