Posted on January 1, 0001 12:00 AM
Running their record to 7-0, the Russellville Panthers impressed a crowd that included many alumni in grounding the Fulton County Pilots 53-6 in the Tobacco Bowl at Rhea Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The win was the first in district play for Coach John Myers' dominant team after six victories in non-district play. For the fourth time in the seven games, the Panthers surpassed the 36-point margin barrier in the first quarter to start the "running clock."
The touchdown which made the score 40-0 came on a 17-yard run by backup freshman running back Johnny Drumgole less than 11 minutes into the game.
The Panthers didn't get many chances to work on executing their offense. They led 20-0 after running just one offensive play. That play came on the first snap of the game when senior quarterback Barrett Croslin ran for a 51-yard touchdown and Corey Wright kicked the extra point.
After the Pilots failed to move the ball, Coco Darden scored on a 44-yard punt return. Special teams continued to doom the Piolts. After getting deplorable field position on the ensuing kickoff return, Fulton County fumbled and Demarcus Hampton at the 10 scooped up the ball and bulled into the end zone to make the margin 20 less than five minutes after the opening kickoff.
Darden caught a 19-yard touchdown pass from Croslin, Hampton ran for a 22-yard score, and Drumgole found the end zone with 1:06 left in the first quarter to set the clock into perpetual motion.
Hampton added his third touchdown of the half on a 41-yard run early in the second quarter.
The Panthers outgained FCHS 241-13 in the first half and totaled 358 yards in the game. The defense held Fulton County to a minus 22 yards rushing in the game, as computed by Zach Greenwell of the Daily News.
The final Panther touchdown was much like the first with Croslin sprinting to a 56-yard touchdown. He ran for 107 yards on two carries, both for touchdowns, and completed all three of his passes for 35 yards and a touchdown. He only played the first series in the second half.
Drumgole ran for 65 yards on 9 carries, while Hampton had 63 yards on two carries. He scored three touchdowns with Croslin and Darden getting two each.
The Pilots scored their touchdown late in the first half on a 56-yard drive, culminating on a 3-yard pass from Damien Roach to Terrell Wilson. Fulton County only had 16 players in uniform.
The Panthers made the long trip to Fulton City this week. The Bulldogs are expected to be more competitive with Fulton County than they will be with the Panthers.
One of the highlights of the day was the halftime honor ceremony for the 1983 state champion Panthers. Coach Ken Barrett, for whom the Rhea Stadium field is named, and Assistant Coach Phil Todd, who is now head basketball coach and still a football assistant, led the special alumni on to the field where they were greeted by Athletic Director Nathan Thompson and Principal Kim McDaniel.
Public announcer Larry Baker read the description of this special team as it appeared on The LoJo.