Favored Holy Cross to face skilled Panther stars
Even though Louisville Holy Cross comes to Rhea Stadium as a touchdown favorite, the big city Cougars will have to overcome many skilled athletes representing RHS, including 10 recently announced All-SKY performers.
Today’s 7 p.m. matchup on Ken Barrett Field, pits Class 1A, Region I, District 1 number one seed Russellville (5-5, .51369 RPI) against District 2 number four seed Holy Cross (4-6, .57023). District 2 is certainly deeper in quality than District 1, but the Panthers are much better than the other three teams in their district.
Holy Cross is a very pass-oriented team. Tonight’s stormy weather may not be favorable for that.
Ten Panthers have been named Small School All-SKY, five of them first team and five second team. Many of them are also ranked near the top of the state in Class 1A statistics on the season. Statistics are not released on punting or offensive blocking percentage.
Here are the honorees:
First Team All-SKY
Jerius Coleman—Quarterback
95 passes completed in 147 attempts for 1,590 yards and 19 touchdowns. The 159 yards per game is 6th in the state, the yardage is 5th and the TDs are tied for 5th. Rushed for 2 touchdowns. Tied for 13th in defensive fumbles caused with 2; 5 interceptions returned 135 yards and a touchdown; 46 solo tackles, 68 overall
Jacoveon Temple Dickerson—Wide Receiver
36 receptions for781 yards and 21.7 yards per catch with 12 touchdowns. He ranks third in the state in receiving yards, 4th in touchdown receptions, 5th in receiving yards per game and 7th in receptions. Tied for 13th in defensive fumbles caused with 2; 2 interceptions returned 119 yards and a touchdown; 21 solo tackles, 30 overall
LaBryan Nourse—Athlete
25th in state in rushing yards per game 87 carries at 75 with 745 yards on 57 carries; 3 interceptions returned 119 yards and a touchdown; 43 solos, 55 total, 6 for a loss, 2 sacks
Takato Johnson—Defensive Line
Tied for 13th in defensive fumbles caused with 2; interception returned 10 yards; 17 solo tackles, 23 overall, 7 for a loss, 1.5 sacks
Amarus Morris—Defensive Back
20 catches for 370 yards with 4 touchdowns and an average catch of 18.5 yards and 41 yards, which ranks 25th. Tied for 5th in defensive fumbles caused with 3; tied for 13th in defensive fumbles caused with 2; 46 solo tackles, 59 overall, 7 for a loss and 1 sack
Second Team All-SKY
Kendarius Boyd—Defensive Line
15 solo tackles. 24 overall, 4 for a loss, 1 sack
Jamarion Gardner—Defensive Back
20th in state with 80 yards per game with 563 yards on 61 carries in 7 games for an average of 9.2 yards per carry, which is 7th in the state; 2 interceptions returned 57 yards; 7 solo tackles, 10 overall, 1 for a loss
Madison Bloodworth
30 extra points kicked in 37 attempts, ab average of 3.0 made per game for 9th place; her 81.1 percent completion success ranks 7th
Anthony Allen—Linebacker
36 solo tackles, 48 overall, 5 for a loss with 2 sacks
Landon Bibb—Offensive Line
4 solo tackles, 11 overall, 1 for a loss
The game is to be broadcast live on all WRUS platforms tonight.
The Class 4A contest between visiting Marion County and host Logan County will be aired on WRUS Saturday at 1 if lightning allows the games to be played.