The countdown to next Friday night’s season opener is now underway for the Hopkins County Central Storm. The Storm completed the preseason portion of the 2024 schedule with two quarters of scrimmage action at Rhea Stadium in Russellville.
The first quarter of play found the Storm matched up against the host Russellville Panthers. After going three and out on their first possession, the Storm punted the ball away. Russellville fumbled the return attempt with Hopkins County Central recovering the ball.
One play later, Sylas Gunn made a nice cut and rambled 28 yards to the end zone. After the conversion, the Storm led 8-0.
Hopkins County Central looked to have extended the lead on a 100-yard interception return from Michael McDaniel, however, the score was called back due to a blindside block.
Russellville cut the lead to 8-6 late in the quarter on a 12-yard run from Jamarion Gardner, but the clock would run out shortly after and the Storm took the quarter.
The second quarter of action had the Storm matched up against Ohio County.
After Hopkins County Central fumbled the ball away on the opening possession, Ohio County took the ball on a long, sustained drive, capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run from Cam Evans to take a 7-0 lead.
The Storm responded with a long drive of their own, punching it in with about four minutes left in the quarter on a four-yard pass from Isac Earl to Carter Edwards. The two-point conversion was good and Central led 8-7.
Hopkins County Central got a stop of the Eagles on the possession to close out the quarter and hold on to the one-point win.
The 2024 season for the Storm will open next Friday night on the road against the Caldwell County Tigers.
