Hopkinsville and Russellville, a pair of football teams looking to rebound from disappointing 2023 football seasons, each scored a pair of touchdowns in a preseason scrimmage on Thursday at the Stadium of Champions.
The teams played under normal down and distance conditions for three quarters sans any kicking and punting.
Hopkinsville’s defense was on the field for 33 plays in the first half and Russellville gained 95 yards.
The Tigers managed just 13 plays in the first 24 minutes but gained 96 yards.
Hoptown scored first when Aidan King hit Treston Kay for a 31-yard scoring pass with 14 seconds left in the first half.
Russellville scored twice in the third quarter. Hunter Hallman found Labryan Nourse on a 16-yard pass down the left sideline to even the score.
With 2:33 left in the quarter, Hallman found Noah Stovall for a 19-yard touchdown strike.
Hopkinsville evened the score with 10 seconds in the quarter when King found Kay along the left sideline for a 26-yard touchdown. Initially, Kay was ruled to have made the catch out of bounds but the call was overturned.
The JV teams played in the fourth quarter.
Despite running 15 fewer plays, Hopkinsville outgained Russellville in total yards 187-173.
King was 4-of-12 passing for 113 yards – all four throws to Kay.
Hoptown rushed 12 times for 74 yards with Jay Bradley the leading rusher with five carries for 53 yards.
Hallman was 9-of-18 passing for Russellville for 83 yards. The Panthers ran 32 times for 90 yards.
The Hoptown defense only allowed one of Russellville’s 32 carries to go for 10 or more yards.
Hopkinsville will scrimmage at Fairdale next Friday and will open the 2023 season on August 23 at Greenwood,
Russellville will open its season, also on August 23, when they play Warren Central at Logan County.
