Published: October 04, 2008 12:59 am            

Devils fight back Dawgs

FLATWOODS — Winless but highly dangerous Lawrence County tried its best to upstage Russell’s special occasion night.

Trailing 27-20, the Bulldogs drove from their own 31-yard line to Russell’s 8 only to turn the ball over on downs via an incompletion at the goal line with 2:55 remaining.

Before the Red Devils’ Homecoming crowd and coach Ivan McGlone could finish a long sigh of relief, Russell added two touchdowns for a 41-20 victory at Henry R. Evans Stadium.

Along with Homecoming festivities, Russell honored its 1978 state championship team before the game and inducted McGlone into the school’s Hall of Fame at halftime.

Lawrence County tried to steal the show in the fourth quarter as sophomore quarterback Chandler Shepherd moved the team down the field.

“I’m sitting there thinking, if they score are they going to go for two and try to take the lead,’’ McGlone said.

He’s happy he didn’t have to find out.

After Russell’s defensive stand, quarterback A.J. Cordle broke loose for 85 yards before being tripped up at Lawrence

County’s 7.

On the next play, running back Drew Abrams scored behind the right side of the Red Devils’ line with 2:07 left. His fourth touchdown of the night and Jason Dolly’s extra point made it 34-20.

Lawrence County moved the ball into Red Devil territory for a final time, but Russell’s Derek Fosson scooped up a fumble and returned it all the way to the Bulldogs’ 6 with 58 seconds on the clock. Cordle carried the ball into the end zone on the next snap, turning what had been a thriller into a 21-point cushion.

“We are just happy to get the win,’’ McGlone said. “They are probably the best team we have played, other than Ashland.’’

Lawrence County can probably lay claim to being the best 0-6 team in the state. Three of the young team’s previous opponents — Belfry, Sheldon Clark and Prestonsburg — remain undefeated and only a touchdown separated two of them from the Bulldogs.

“I knew they were dangerous,’’ McGlone said. “We watched them on film. You think surely somewhere along the way they are going to get one. I was just hoping it’s not me.’’

Russell (5-1) never trailed and nosed out a 362-359 edge in total yards.

Abrams had a huge night, rushing for 160 yards on 26 carries. He scored on a 1-yard run to give the Red Devils a 14-0 lead in the second quarter and found the end zone three times in the second half. His 3-yarder put Russell up 27-14 early in the fourth quarter, but Lawrence County refused to wilt.

Shepherd, who completed 14 of 23 passes for 186 yards, connected with Lucas Frasher for a 45-yard TD on a third-and-15 play with 8:47 remaining.

Russell then recovered an onside kick, but was forced to punt after failing to pick up a first down.

Shepherd’s passing carried the Bulldogs to a first down at Russell’s 14, but they ran out of big plays and came up short again.

“It’s been like that all year,’’ said first-year coach Luke Salmons. “We had opportunities. We have a lot of young players and they are still learning. I keep telling them that it’s coming. Everybody judges wins and losses, but we have the right things in place and the kids keep competing. I’m proud of them.’’

Lawrence County running back Shane Pack gained 114 yards, including a 60-yard TD, and Russell’s Cordle also broke the 100-yard mark with 137 on 11 carries.

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

        

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