Offense roars early in Devils win over Lions

VANCEBURG — A total of seven different Russell running back combined 218 yards on the ground and five touchdowns to help the Red Devils cruise their way to a 60-6 win over the Lewis County Lions on Thursday night.

After suffering two one-possession losses and a sluggish first half against Fleming County two weeks ago, Russell was aiming for a better start to this game.

And for the most part, they got what they wanted.

"I thought out execution started out much better compared to Fleming," Russell coach TJ Maynard. "After the past three games, we wanted to make sure we got off to a better start and keep improving on what were doing as we get closer to the bigger games on the schedule."

The Devils took their opening kickoff and marched 55 yards in 5 plays to begin the scoring onslaught.

Hunter Williams completed passes on the final two plays of the drive — a 22-yard pitch-and-catch to Griffin Fisher and then a screen pass to Caden Hampton for a 5-yard score. Sam Totten added the extra point to make it 7-0.

Russell's only hiccup in the beginning came when they force a quick three-and-out and a punt from Lewis County. But the punt was muffed and allowed the Lions take back over near midfield.

The second chance possession would be another three-and-out and another punt.

Russell would find the end zone again just two plays, as Jordan Rowe ripped off a 23-yard gain and then Kaiden Benge had tacklers bouncing off him and stiff armed another on his 34-yard scoring run to make it 14-0 with 5:11 remaining in the opening quarter.

From that point on, the Devils never looked back.

Later in the first, Peyton Bailey would score the first of his two rushing touchdowns on the night. The freshman back followed a hole off the left side and bounced his way into open space and dashed 26 yards.

Bailey's second score came on his final carry with 9:50 remaining in the game when he cut his way through for a 33-yard score to make it 54-0 and give Bailey a game-high 85 yards.

In the second quarter, Rowe had a 14-yard run to pay dirt. Then Williams followed up with a back shoulder throw to Shawn Deskins for an 18-yard score.

Backup quarterback Rylan Pickett got into the act later in the quarter with a 15-yard touchdown pass to Raylon Haight to put the Devils up 40-0 at the break.

The only score in the third quarter came when Lane Osborne pushed his way in from two yards out.

In the fourth quarter, Lewis County got its highlight play of the night as Jaidance Cottingham returned a kickoff 70 yards to break the shut out.

But that wouldn't be the only kick return for a score, as Samarae Ross would pick up a squib kick and cut between a pair of first level tacklers and blow past the kickoff team for a 65 yard return.

"It's always good to get those younger guys in there and reward them for being on scout team from early August to now," said Maynard. "As we get closer to the postseason, our starters will have to play all four quarters. So anytime you can get the younger guys in there to get some extra reps, is a major plus."

Russell will be back at home next Friday to face Bath County.

Russell 20 20 7 13 = 60

Lewis County 0 0 0 6 = 6

First Quarter

Rus — Caden Hampton 5 pass from Hunter Williams (Sam Totten kick), 9:45.

Rus — Kaiden Benge 34 run (Sam Totten kick), 5:11.

Rus — Peyton Bailey 23 run (kick no good), 3:10.

Second Quarter

Rus — Jordan Rowe 14 run (kick no good), 10:41.

Rus — Shawn Deskins 18 pass from Hunter Williams (Sam Totten kick), 8:22.

Rus — Raylon Haight 25 pass from Rylan Pickett (Sam Totten kick), 4:40.

Third Quarter

Rus — Lane Osborne 2 run (Sam Totten kick), 4:16.

Fourth Quarter

Rus — Peyton Bailey 33 run (Sam Totten kick), 9:50.

LC — Jaidance Cottingham 70 kickoff return (kick blocked), 6:55.

Rus — Samarae Ross 65 kickoff return (kick failed), 6:06.

———

Rus LC

First downs 14 3

Rushes-yards 15-218 21-26

Passing yards 91 27

Total yards 309 53

Cmp-Att-Int 7-8-0 4-15-0

Fumbles-lost 1-1 2-1

Penalties-yards 2-15 5-25

Punts-average 0-0.0 4-22.25

———

Individual Leaders

RUSHING – Russell: Jordan Rowe 3-42 TD, Logan Jones 1-3, Peyton Bailey 3-85 2-TD, Nicholas Marcum 1-5, Kaiden Benge 2-43 TD, Lane Osborne 4-35 TD, Benjamin Brinkman 1; Lewis County: Jaidance Cottingham 10-20, Alex Russell 2-minus 13, Ryan Wolfe 5-23, Zane Smyke 2-3, Team 2-minus 7.

PASSING – Russell: Hunter Williams 6-7-0 73 TD, Rylan Picket 1-1-0 18 TD; Lewis County: Jaidance Cottingham 1-2-0 10, Ryan Wolfe 2-10-0 15, Aaden Bloomfield 1-3-0 2.

RECEIVING – Russell: Griffin Fisher 3-37, Caden Hampton 1-5 TD, Shawn Deskins 2-24 TD, Raylon Haight 1-25 TD; Lewis County: Josh King 1-minus 3, Jaidance Cottingham 1-2, Ryder Montgomery 2-28.

MISSED FIELD GOALS – None.