Russellville was looking for its first winning streak of the season, fresh off their 42-24 victory over Caverna the week; however, they were unsuccessful because of eight turnovers and a weak defensive stand, and they fell 45-19 to Metcalfe County.
The Panthers won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to open the game. After a nice first down pass by junior Alex Watkins to junior Chris Hampton, Russellville head coach Bob Nelson wanted to keep the ball in the air and Watkins passed again; this time though, Hornet Tony Tinsley picked off the pigskin.
Metcalfe County kept the ball on the ground during their first drive. A big rush for a 30-yard gain by senior quarterback Trevor Wilson advanced the Hornets into the Panthers' Red Zone. If not for a powerful hit by senior defensive back Travelis Gordon, he would have put six points on the scoreboard for Metcalfe County.
Two plays later, it was Wilson again on the quarterback keeper for a one-yard touchdown run. A missed extra-point kick by David Hammer left the score 6-0 after the first 5:39 of play.
After each team punted the ball, Russellville was ready to begin its first scoring drive. A long pass from Watkins to junior halfback Patrick Temple put the Panthers within striking distance. The drive culminated with senior Demetrius Whitford running the ball into the end
zone from four yards out. A bad snap meant the extra point was no good, so the score would stay tied at six with 0:43 to go in the first quarter.
The Hornets began their next quest for a touchdown at their own 44-yard line. Staying to form, Metcalfe County kept the ball on the ground for most of the drive. The 56-yard trip to the goal line ended with another rush by Wilson; this one an 18-yard gain for the points. After a failed two-point conversion attempt, the score stood at 12-6, Hornets.
Metcalfe County defensive-back Tinsley came calling again on the Panthers' next possession. Watkins dropped back for a pass but before one of the Russellville players could catch the ball, Tinsley grabbed it out of mid-air for his second interception of the first half. No harm was done though; the Hornets punted the ball after three unsuccessful downs.
The Panthers got the ball at their own 21-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Watkins aired it out, only to have it intercepted again, this time by Brandon Warf.
Metcalfe was stopped by an explosive hit by junior lineman Daniel Elliott that kept the Hornets from getting a first down.
The Panthers gained a quick 27 yards before bad luck struck again for Watkins. Another drop-off pass was stolen away by Metcalfe County's Tinsley. If not for a powerful tackle by junior lineman Greg Noe, Tinsley would have taken the ball to the house for a Hornet touchdown; but the home team did not waste this possession.
Wilson passed to Tinsley, who finally caught a pass from his own quarterback, and he ran the 35 yards needed for a touchdown. The PAT put the Hornets up 19-6 with 0:54 to go in the half.
Russellville was forced to punt with 0:24 on the clock. Metcalfe County was flagged for roughing the kicker and this sparked the Panther momentum. Watkins passed to Whitford for a 22-yard gain, and Russellville had the ball at the 50-yard line with 0:08 to go and one last play in the half. The Panthers went to the air again and to end
the second quarter, Jamie Parnell picked off Watkins' pass for the Russellville quarterback's fifth interception of the first
half.
The Panthers only trailed by 44 yards in the total yardage category at halftime. Both teams had seven first downs; but it was the turnover statistic that really hurt Russellville. The Hornets led 19-6.
To start the third quarter. Metcalfe County featured their passing game. A couple throws for big gains
accounted for two first downs on the Hornets way to the end zone. Wilson threw to Tinsley from nine yards out for the touchdown and another missed PAT left the score 25-6.
On the kickoff, Hampton received the ball and weaved his way 80 yards for the touchdown. Watkins added the PAT and Russellville cut the lead to 25-13 with 6:40 to go in the
third quarter.
Thanks in part to two strong tackles by Whitford, Metcalfe County was forced to punt and the Russellville offense took the field. After a 30-yard rush by Whitford, the Panthers had a first down at mid-field and were looking for more. Watkins threw a bootleg pass that was intercepted by Wilson and he ran all the way to the promised land for a 55-yard Hornet touchdown. The lead increased to 31-13.
The fourth quarter started with Russellville moving the ball well, but that good fortune came to an end when Metcalfe County recovered a Panther fumble. A couple more thundering tackles were recorded by Whitford and the Hornets were forced to punt. Their defense, though, came up big again when Parnell grabbed his second interception of the game and hustled 45 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was good and the score stood at 38-13.
Russellville's special teams got the job done again on the kickoff.. The ball was kicked to Temple at the Panther 15-yard line and he used some fancy footwork on his way to an 85-yard return for the six point score. The two-point conversion failed and Russellville trailed 38-19.
Metcalfe County kept the ball on the ground and rushed their way to the end zone on a 13-yard gain by
sophomore Ryan England. After two tries, Hammer put the ball through the uprights for the PAT and the score went to its final 45-19.
The Hornets increased their passing yardage by 118 yards in the second half, giving them 164 for the game. Another 226 yards on the ground gave Metcalfe County 390 total yards in the game.
The turnovers committed by Russellville were a big part of their loss; they had eight. The Panthers ended the game with 216 total yards; 128 of which were in the air.
The bright spot for the Russellville squad had to be Whitford's defensive play. He had several tackles that kept the game from getting out of hand.
The Panthers will be on the road for the final time of the 2003 regular season Friday in McLean County. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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