Two missed opportunities down in the red zone turned out to be very costly for the Todd County Central Rebels Friday night. The Rebels had their offensive struggles as they dropped a 10-0 decision on the road at Russellville.
Despite being outgained by more than 300 yards on the night, the Rebels still found themselves with a chance into the waning moments of the game.
Both teams were forced to punt on their opening possessions of the night as the teams worked to get their feel for each other.
The biggest moment of the game may have come on the Panthers’ second possession. Russellville had moved from its own 37 to the Rebels’ side of the field when a screen pass from Lennon Ries was deflected and then picked off by Todd Central’s Jamarion Smith. Smith would run the pick all the way back to the Russellville 5-yard line. Then came most likely the biggest series of the game.
A motion penalty quickly put the Rebels back to the 10-yard line and stalled the drive before it could get started. Two runs and a pass interference call left the Rebels facing 4th and goal at the three. Orrin Scott was dropped for a two-yard loss on the fourth down play and the Panthers took over on downs. That stand appeared to give Russellville just enough momentum to turn the tide.
Russellville took the ensuing possession and drove deep into Rebel territory early in the third quarter. However, the Rebel defense which bent and did not break for most of the night came up with a big play when Nate Reding picked off Lennon Ries at the goal line to stop the drive.
After Todd Central stalled out on the next drive, it appeared the Rebels were about to return the favor. Russellville went three and out on their next possession, but Omarion Riddick lost the handle on the punt and the Panthers recovered at the Todd Central 15 yard line.
The Rebel defense did its job and forced Russellville to settle for a 27-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with 3:17 to go in the half.
Neither team was able to generate anything over the final moments of the half and the two teams went to the break with only the Panther field goal on the board.
The Rebels took the opening kickoff for the second half and picked up only their second down of the night, but the drive stalled out and they had to punt the ball away.
Russellville then took the ensuing possession and went on their best drive of the night, covering 61 yards in 12 plays. The drive was capped off by a 25-yard scoring strike from Lennon Ries to Chevis Elliot to extend the lead to 10-0.
From there, the Russellville defense took over and continued its dominating performance. The Rebels ventured one final time into the red zone after a short Russellville punt gave them the ball at the Panthers’ 21-yard line. Todd Central would reach the 11-yard line, but a couple of penalties and a pair of incomplete passes killed the drive.
Russellville then took the ball and drove down the field burning up the final 8:06 of the game to pick up the win.
By the numbers, it was amazing that the Rebels were in the game the whole way through. The Panthers’ defense limited Todd Central to just two first downs and 37 total yards.
Omarion Riddick had 36 yards rushing, while Gavyn Nolan was 2-10 through the air for 13 yards.
The Panthers racked up 365 yards of total offense — 234 rushing, and 131 passing.
Jovari Gamble ended the game with 100 yards rushing. Lennon Ries added 98 more.
Ries was 10-17-2 through the air for 131 yards and a touchdown.
Both teams had penalty issues. Todd Central had 95 penalty yards, while the Panthers picked up 134.
