LLOYD — Russell couldn’t have scripted a better start to the 2008 football season.

In a matchup of district champions, the Red Devils scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and rolled past Greenup County 49-13 on Friday night.

Senior running back Drew Abrams carried for 170 yards, including two touchdowns, and also intercepted a pass as Russell breezed in the annual “Backyard Brawl.’’

It marked the Red Devils’ eighth consecutive season-opening victory over the Musketeers.

“We always like to beat Greenup County in the opening game and get our season off to a great start,’’ said Abrams, who received game MVP honors for Russell.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder set the tone on the first play from scrimmage when he broke a tackle in the backfield and shed another would-be tackler for a 20-yard gain. Three plays later, Abrams went into the end zone standing from 7 yards out for Russell’s first TD.

Quarterback A.J. Cordle and halfback David Bailey added 11-yard scoring runs to make it 21-0 early in the second quarter.

Russell’s fourth drive only offered more proof that the night belonged to coach Ivan McGlone’s squad.

After blocking a 24-yard field goal, the Red Devils quickly marched down the field again. On third-and-four at Greenup County’s 32, Bailey made a nice cut before fumbling near the 15-yard line. The ball bounced forward and Russell junior Drake Dehoff grabbed at the goal line.

The Red Devils took the 28-0 lead into the locker room and tacked on 21 points in the third quarter.

“You don’t known until you come out there,’’ McGlone said of his team’s impressive showing. “It’s a good start.’’

Russell had plenty of offensive stars. Cordle, who took over for Tyler Jones at quarterback this season, threw TD passes of 23 and 55 yards to wideout Justin Mitchell in the third quarter.

Mitchell finished with four receptions for 127 yards.

“Nobody expects us to throw the ball,’’ Mitchell said. “When we do, it’s open. I feel like A.J. is going to do real well this season. Tonight he stepped up and became a leader.’’

Kicker Jason Dolly made all seven extra-point attempts and now has a school-record 50 in a row. He broke the mark of 45 set by Jason Hill in 1997-98.

Greenup County took the second-half kickoff and used a 65-yard scoring drive to get within 28-7, but Abrams broke looose for a 57-yard score on the next play from scrimmage.

“The offensive line blocked really well,’’ Abrams said. “(Drew) Miller, (Travis) Jones, (Kamron) Smith, (Michael) Dillon, all those guys up front did great,’’ Abrams said.

Bailey added 97 yards to the Red Devils’ 351 total on the ground.

Defensively, Russell limited Greenup County to 91 yards in the first half while taking control.

The Musketeers’ passing attack started clicking in the second half. Quarterback Eric Craft finished 19 of 30 for 214 yards and backup Mason Rister added 57 yards through the air. Twelve different Greenup County players caught at least one pass.

Running back Corey Lyle scored Greenup County’s first TD on a 1-yard plunge on fourth down. Craft had a 9-yard TD run later in the third quarter before Russell closed the scoring on Mitchell’s second TD catch.

ROCKY STANLEY can be reached at rstanley@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2671.