From the Ashland Independent: Russell played one of its best halves of football this year in the first half of Friday night’s game versus Fleming County at Ivan McGlone Field in Russell, but it would take a scrappy second-half effort to hold off a resilient Fleming County, 45-25.
Russell didn’t waste any time jumping out to a big lead as Red Devils senior Travis Jones returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. He then went on to score two more touchdowns with runs of 25 and 14 yards, all in the first quarter.
A 27-yard field goal by junior Tanner Locey in the second quarter extended Russell’s lead to 24-0, seeming to give the Red Devils an early start on homecoming celebrations. But Fleming County wasn’t ready for the party to begin.
The Panthers came out in the third quarter looking like a different team, led by senior Devon Duncan, who had touchdown runs of 23 and 59 yards in the third quarter, bringing them within striking distance at 24-13.
However, Russell fought back by scoring two touchdowns of its own at the beginning of the fourth quarter to push the lead back up to 38-13. Once again though, the Panthers weren’t finished.
On Fleming County’s first pass of the game, quarterback Chris Jones hooked up with Duncan for a 59-yard touchdown. Fleming County would successfully recover the ensuing onside kick at the Russell 35-yard line, and, one pass later, Jones would find Preston Dugan for a 35-yard touchdown pulling them to within 13 with two and a half minutes remaining.
But Russell didn’t waste any time in ending Fleming County’s hopes for a comeback as they turned to their star senior Travis Jones again. On the first play after recovering a botched onside kick, Jones ran for a 41-yard touchdown to extend their lead and seal a Russell victory.
The Panthers fall to 3-3 on the season and play West Carter on October 9 at home.
