Just about everything went right last Friday for the Russellville football team. Coaches, players and fans hope there will be more of the same tonight when their oldest rival, Franklin-Simpson, comes calling.
Consider all of these positives from last week’s impressive 33-17 win over Trigg County:
*The Panthers got their first win of the season.
*The lives and football successes of recently deceased coach Ken Barrett along with two of his top assistant coaches, Buddy Linton and Howard Wren, were honored and celebrated.
*The beautiful and useful changes made to Rhea Stadium/Ken Barrett Field were seen and experienced by the large crowd in attendance.
*Players from the three state championship teams coached by Barrett reunited and were honored by the crowd.
*The Panther offense reversed its early season ineffectiveness. The 33 points were more than RHS had scored in the first three games combined. The offensive game plan was balanced. Russellville totaled 159 yards rushing and 207 passing for 366 total. RHS came from behind repeatedly to seal the victory.
*The Panthers showcased a solid placekicking game. Junior Alex Allen kicked two field goals to go along with three successful conversions.
*Beloved current head coach Mikie Benton—the first former Panthers to lead the program—had a weight lifted from his shoulders as his team played a solid game on both sides of the ball and ending a losing streak.
Putting up big numbers were Hunter Hallman, JaCoveon Temple-Dickerson , Jamarion Gardner, Tutu McKeage, Alex Arnold, Jerius Coleman, David Owens, Samuel Edge and Anthony Allen.
Hallman was 9 of 14 passing for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns. Both of those scoring passes went Temple-Dickerson, who caught 4 passes for 130 yards. . Labryan Nourse and Gage Bollenbecker each caught 2.
Gardmer carried the ball 13 times for 107 yards and a touchdown. McKeage was a workhorse, too, carrying the ball 13 times for 24 yards and a touchdown
Arnold scored 9 points while kicking, connecting on both of his field goal tries and 3 of 5 conversion attempts. His field goals scored the first three points of the game and the last three.
Coleman, Owens and Allen each had 5 solo tackles. Coleman totaled 9 tackles, Owen 7, and Edge and Allen 6 each. Right behind with 5 tackles each were Christian Woods and Takyon Darden,
The Franklin team which comes to Russellville tonight has a 2-2 record. After beating Daviess County and Warren Central, the Wildcats suffered a rare loss to Allen County-Scottsville and then were blown out 42-7 by Adair County.
Game time is 7 p.m. It will be broadcast tape-delayed on WRUS Saturday at 1:05 p.m.