It was an exciting - if unsatisfying - end to a spectacular season.

Few expected the Russellville football team to give mighty Louisville Central much of a game on Friday.

But the Yellowjackets realized at halftime they were in a fight for their lives when the score was tied 14-14 at halftime.

In the end, though, Central was just too much for the Panthers.

Too big. Too athletic. Too much depth.

“I can't say enough about how proud I am to be involved in this ballgame,” RHS coach John Myers said. “Our kids laid it on the line - we just came up short.”

But just because they came up short in Friday's quarterfinal matchup doesn't mean they Panthers have anything to be ashamed of.

This team with its super-talented group of senior accomplished a great deal.

They won 10 games and advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1994.

Players like Mikie Benton, Donnie Bigbee, Dustin Sydnor, Jamarcus Gordon and Cory Corder have put Russellville football back on the path to greatness.

“I can't say enough good things about this senior class,” Myers said. “Their dedication in the offseason and their willingness to do the little things throughout the year make them special. They have made me a better coach and a better person.

“They were so much fun to watch and so much fun to coach. Since about the middle of last year, I have told them every Friday night that I love to watch them play. They've laid a foundation for us that we can continue with.”

One thing shouldn't be forgotten when remembering the great run this year's team went on.

Russellville was in all actuality a Class A team playing two classes above its head.

Because of the geographic difficulties the Panthers would have faced in a Class A district, Myers chose instead to play up.

In doing so, the team's achievements look even more impressive.

“I think that says a lot about our character,” Myers said. “We've got athletes that can compete at any level - we might not just have as many of them.”

And not just at the skill positions either.

Make no mistake, the undersized RHS line did a fine job against their much bigger, more athletic counterparts from Louisville Central on Friday night.

“I can't say enough about our line,” Myers said. “We did a good job up front. We talk a lot about our athletes and those guys that can run, but our line really came off the football and I'm very proud of them.”

While this group of seniors will never be forgotten, they will have to be replaced.

In order for the Panthers to keep moving forward, this year's underclassmen will have to take over where the seniors left off.

But Myers is convinced the future is still bright for the RHS football program.

“We've got an outstanding group of younger kids that are going to build on this and continue the football program and the tradition of Russellville football,” Myers said.