YSE File Photo
After scoring in single digits four times in the first five games of the football season, the Russellville Panther offense came alive Friday night. And, while that was good news for the Panthers, it did not work out so well for the Hopkins County Central Storm.
With a potent rushing attack leading the way, the Panthers broke open a 17-10 halftime lead with 27 points in the second half as Russellville knocked off the Storm 44-17 at Rhea Stadium.
The Panthers got on the board when Alex Arnold kicked a 35 yard field goal with 8:35 to go in the opening quarter. That would be the score when the opening quarter ended.
Hopkins County Central pulled even when Jude Mitchell connected on his first field goal of the season to make it a 3-3 game.
The Panthers then hit the Storm with a 1-2 punch that would set the tone for the rest of the night. Jamarion Gardner ripped off a 65 yard run and Labryan Nourse rambled 66 yards, and with 5:35 to go in the half it was 17-3.
Sylas Gunn responded by running for a score with 4:38 left in the half that got Hopkins County Central back to within 17-10 with that score holding until the half.
Russellville came out of the locker room ready to get things cranked up. Jerius Coleman connected on a 79 yard bomb to push the lead out to 24-10 with 7:52 left in the third.
Hopkins Central had the perfect response as the Storm returned the ensuing kickoff 83 yards for the score, and it was back to a one-score game at 24-17.
Jamarion Gardner put the Panthers in the drivers seat with two touchdown runs over the final seven minutes of the third as the lead grew to 37-17.
Labryan Nourse then sealed the deal for the Panthers with an 80 yard pick six with 5:04 to go in the game.
Jamarion Gardner was the story of the game for the Panthers. Gardner ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns to lead the offensive attack.
Kamran Harrison led Hopkins County Central on the ground with 11 carries for 58 yards. Sylas Gunn finished with 8 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Through the air, Gunn was 8 of 16 for 106 yards.
Hopkins County Central drops to 1-4 with its third straight loss. The Storm return home next Friday to take on the Union County Braves.
