27-12
That score has been stuck in the collective craws of the Russellville Panthers for a full year. Friday night, the Black and Gold gets a chance to erase that painful memory.
On Nov. 12, 2012, the Kentucky Country Day Bearcats knocked off the Panthers 27-12 in Louisville to start the Class A Region I playoffs. That improved Coach Matthew Jones’ team’s record to 11-1 before the Bearcats lost 35-12 to eventual state champ Mayfield the following week. The Panthers finished their season at a respectable 8-4. Yet the early exit hurt.
Things appear to be different in 2013. Russellville is 8-2 and KCD 5-5. The Bearcats had to beat Caverna to keep from meeting Mayfield in the first round. The game is at Rhea Stadium this year instead of in Derby City. Coach John Myers’ Panthers have been ranked as high as number one in the state in Class A and have spent most of the season ranked second. The Litratings make the Panthers a seven-touchdown favorite.
The Panthers have spent most of 2013 as the highest scoring team in Class A and the one which has given up the fewest points. Even with losses to Mayfield and South Warren by a combined score of 63-27 the past two weeks, RHS still ranks second in the state in defense and fourth in offense.
One unknown is how injuries will affect the Panthers. Quarterback Barrett Croslin was injured in the first half running a two-point conversion last week and was on the field for only one more play the rest of the game. Backup quarterback Coco Darden, who is also one of the top defenders and a key running back, was already sitting out the game with a knee injury. Christian Naylor, who has concentrated on defense, moved to the quarterback slot the remainder of the game.
Myers said on WRUS’ Coaches’ Corner Tuesday that he expects Croslin to play tonight but that if Darden sees action at all, it will be on defense. Leading rusher Demarcus Hampton has a shoulder injury but is expected to see action. Hampton has rushed for 834 yards and Croslin 777 on the season, but they combined for only 30 against South, which is one of the state’s best defenses. As a team, the Panthers ran for only 15 yards on 26 carries in the season’s final regular season game.
Tonight’s game kicks off at 7 p.m. Athletic Director Nathan Thompson says tickets will cost $6 for adults and $4 for students. Superintendent Leon Smith notes that the Kentucky High School Athletic Association rules require schools, which share the revenue from playoff games, to accept only coaches’ and administrators’ cards for free admission. Those who are normally admitted free, including faculty and staff, must pay for tickets tonight.
“Coach Myers is expecting another tough game with the Bearcats and would like to see a huge turnout to support our young men,” Smith said in an email. “We appreciate our faculty and staff and all the support they give our athletic programs. Football and basketball game receipts are important to operate all of our other sports programs. For those who cannot attend the game, our STLP students will be live streaming the game at http://www.russellville.kyschools.us/”
As always, the game will be carried on WRUS 610 AM. Jon Brett Reynolds and Alex Watkins will begin their Countdown to Kickoff show at 6:30 p.m. The game will also be available on the station’s website at https://www.network1sports.com/station/wrus
Tonight’s contest will most likely be the last for Barrett Croslin on Ken Barrett Field, named for his grandfather, who coached the Panthers to three state championhips. The road to a fourth begins tonight.