Coming into Tuesday’s 13th District semifinal game, Todd County Central knew they would have to try and contain Russellville’s Avery Flener.
The state’s leading scorer had scored 53 goals in the regular season, with seven of those coming against the Rebels in a September 11 All A Classic region tourney win.
However, it was Dustin Brown who provided the heroics Tuesday, scoring twice in the final 12 minutes to lead the Panthers to the 4-2 win. Russellville will play Franklin-Simpson in Thursday’s championship game.
Flener got the Panthers on the board in the 16th minute when he scored off a pass from Brown. It would be the only goal of the half.
Zack Robinson tied the game for Todd County in the 58th minute when he headed in a corner kick. His sixth goal of the season would begin a flurry of scoring that would see five goals find the net in a 16-minute span.
Dalton Gilbert answered for the Panthers three minutes later off a cross to put the Panthers back ahead 2-1.
Three minutes later, Todd County tied the game when Chris Salazar scored off a 30-foot direct kick from the right side.
Brown scored the game-winner with 13 minutes left off a pass from Flener and would provide the insurance goal with six minutes left.
Jonah Rager made 12 saves in goal for the Rebels, who see their season end with a record of 5-9-2.
