Published: November 15, 2008 12:48 am            

Abrams, Wing-T prevail for Devils

FLATWOODS — It didn’t take long to see who was in control in a battle of contrasting styles Friday night at Henry R. Evans Stadium.

The opening round of the Class 3A playoffs pitted Russell — and its Wing-T — against shotgun-prone Pike County Central.

And the old-school style won out in convincing fashion: Red Devils 41, Pike County Central 14.

Russell took advantage of some great field position early, scoring two quick touchdowns and then grinded out another 91-yard, 12 play drive for a touchdown that spanned six and a half minutes over the first and second quarters.

Two more scores before halftime opened up a 34-0 Russell lead and let the Devils coast their way home in the second half.

Russell, the second seeded team in its district, advances to play the state’s top-ranked 3A team, undefeated Belfry, on the road Friday.

“It was a good combination of things,” Russell coach Ivan McGlone said of the quick start on Friday. “We got lots of good field position early in the game, made some stops on defense and threw the ball pretty well.”

And, of course, the Red Devils pumped their rushing game behind their Wing-T.

Drew Abrams once again did his thing for Russell. The senior running back scored the Devils’ first three touchdowns — on runs of 23 and four yards and a pass from 10-yards out — in racking up 125 rushing yards and another 17 receiving.

With the game in hand, Abrams sat much of the second half, but has now tallied 1,345 yards and 21 touchdowns on the season.

“That’s who we go to,” McGlone said. “We may try to trick you some, but when we need yardage, (it’s Abrams).”

It wasn’t just Abrams though; he had 114 yards in the first half. Will Rice also went over 100 yards on the night, breaking a long touchdown run in the second quarter (69 yards) and scoring again on a 13-yard run in the third.

Steven Stapleton returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Pike County Central, on the other hand, had a tough time getting its spread offense working. Before the Hawks could manage even a first down, they were down 13-0. Russell had a 271-110 total-yard advantage in the first half.

Pike County Central quarterback Aaron McGuire had a tough time getting anything going in the passing game, finishing 7-of-12 with an interception. He did go over 100 yards on the ground. Much of that, however, came in the second half.

Russell (7-4) must now go on the road for next week’s matchup with Belfry, a 48-27 winner over West Carter on Friday.

McGlone knows it won’t be easy.

“We’re going to go up there and give it our best shot,” he said. “We’re not conceding.”

        

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