From Russellville Middle School football coach Pete Ries: The Russellville Middle School football team continued its strong start to the 2017 season with a 30-0 dismantling of their crosstown rival Logan County Cougars.
The game opened up with a strong drive from Logan County that ended in a punt after Russellville's defense stepped up inside their own territory. The Panthers’ explosive offense would get on the board quickly. Long runs by Lennon Ries and Nick Bollenbecker would put the Panthers in position for the first score of the game.
Jovari Gamble would punch the ball in for the score and the Panthers would go up 8-0 after the successful 2-point conversion.
The Russellville defense, led by middle linebacker Ben Allen and a defensive line led by Landon Bollenbecker and Zane Edge, would continue to push Logan County's offense backward resulting in punts.
Lennon Ries had two long touchdown runs that would put the Panthers up 22-0. One of those long runs was an 80-yard touchdown just as the half time horn sounded.
The second half began with a strong showing from the defense and a ball control offense from the Panthers that was focused on ball security and clock management. Big runs on offense by wing back Colby Williams would keep the offense on the field and help bleed the clock for the Panthers. One more big play on defense by Lennon Ries resulted in the final score of the game.
After a short lightening delay, the final horn would sound as the Panthers were victorious by the final score of 30-0.
The 7th grade Clash of the Cats was a very hard fought game by both teams. The Logan County Cougars defeated the Panthers by the score of 28-6.