Red Devils 'pick off' Panthers to advance to next round

FLATWOODS  — While everyone was picking Russell to win Thursday night, the Red Devils defense was picking Carroll County.

Well, by picking they mean intercepting.

Russell's defense came up with 3 interceptions — with 2 of those being returned for scores — to help the Red Devils roll their way to a 48-0 shutout win over the Carroll County Panthers in the opening round of the KHSAA Class 3A playoffs.

Russell (9-2) advances to the region semifinals where they will face the winner of the Fleming County-Bourbon County game. No matter the outcome the game will be at Henry R. Evans Stadium next Friday night.

"Obviously in the playoffs it's about winning and advancing and moving on. This is the first one, so you want to take care of business. I was really proud of how our kids did it," said Russell coach TJ Maynard.

The first interception came from Grayson Kiser. The senior defensive back stepped in front of an errant throw caused by immense pressure and took it back 42 yards for a score.

Then Shawn Deskins came up with the second interception for a score just before halftime when pressure from the defensive front forced a bad throw and Deskins was there for the 15 yards return to make the score 35-0 at the break.

The final pick came in the third quarter from Cayden Pennington. After a long kickoff return put the Panthers in scoring position, Pennington made a play on the ball in the end zone and returned it 41 yards to midfield to help preserve the shutout.

The defense also did more than just win the turnover margin, they dominated on the stat sheet. The Panthers were limited to just 25 total yards and 2 first downs through three quarters before the backups took over in the fourth quarter.

While the defense did its part, the offense did its job as well.

Running back Kaiden Benge finished with 134 yards on 16 carries and 2 rushing scores — all coming in the first half.

"They stacked the box, so if we can pick up those blitzes there's not really anyone left in the secondary," said Benge. "But our line gives us some good blocks and opens holes."

Benge was able to reach the century mark behind the efforts of his offensive line of Tate Smith, Zach Brown, Brody Smith, Ian Lother, and Reagan Banks.

Maynard praised how well his offensive line stepped up after last week and helped spark the Red Devils offensively.

"Our offensive line has gotten better each week. They're kind of the catalyst for us, because if they can control up front and give us some lanes, we can take some shots in the passing game."

Benge and the offensive line got the Red Devils on the board at the 2:12 mark of the first when Benge found a hole and barreled in from 10 yards. Gavin Skaggs added the point after to make it 7-0.

After a three-and-out by Carroll County, the Red Devils needed just one play to extend their lead.

Jayden Frasure stepped back on a play fake, and let loose a pass towards Cayden Pennington and the senior receiver went up and high-pointed the ball and jetted his way in for the 58 yard score to extend the lead.

Frasure threw one more touchdown pass in the third frame, as Frasure had to move around to get out of some quick pressure and found Jordan Rowe in the flat, and Rowe stepped around a pair of defenders and split another two tacklers to get across the goal line and push the lead out to 42-0.

In the second quarter, interception returns by Kiser and Deskins bookended the scoring for the Red Devils.

For Kiser, it was his second interception in consecutive weeks, as the senior took back a 49-yard interception against Breathitt County last Friday.

"That's two in two weeks for me," said Kiser with a grin. "My job was to take the flats and I just jumped the route."

Between the defensive scores, Benge scored his final touchdown on the night with a 3 yard run to make the score 28-0 at the 3:15 mark of the second.

Carroll County (5-6) opened up the second half with a 59-yard kickoff return by Jakobi Chapman-Meadows to the Russell 25.

But the return would all be for naught, as Cayden Pennington came up with the final interception on third down to keep the Panthers out of the end zone.

In the fourth, Benjamin Brinkman capped off the scoring when he knifed in from 3 yards out to make it 48-0 with 6:47 remaining.

Carroll Co. 0 0 0 0 = 0

Russell 14 21 13 0 = 48

First Quarter

Rus — Kaiden Benge 10 run (Gavin Skaggs kick), 2:12.

Rus — Jayden Pennington 58 pass from Jayden Frasure (Gavin Skaggs kick), 1:31.

Second Quarter

Rus — Grayson Kiser 42 interception return (Gavin Skaggs kick), 8:32.

Rus — Kaiden Benge 3 run (Gavin Skaggs kick), 3:15.

Rus — Shawn Deskins 15 interception return (Sam Totten kick), 3:00.

Third Quarter

BC — Jordan Rowe 32 pass from Jayden Frasure (Gavin Skaggs kick), 4:30.

Fourth Quarter

BC — Benjamin Brinkman 3 run (kick no good), 6:47.

———

CC Rus

First downs 4 14

Rushes-yards 17-44 29-183

Passing yards 25 105

Total yards 69 288

Cmp-Att-Int 4-16-3 4-7-0

Fumbles-lost 0-0 0-0

Penalties-yards 8-78.5 5-25

Punts-average 4-27.0 2-34.0

———

Individual Leaders

RUSHING – Carroll County: Maverick Johnson 2-17, Hunter Angell 2-minus 3, Karson Vaught 7-20, Treavin Shovlin 1-minus 11, Kenneth Laeton Fornash 2-minus 1, Jakobi Chapman-Meadows 3-22; Russell: Jordan Rowe 1-15, Jayden Frasure 2-minus 12, Nicholas Marcum 1-1, Kaiden Benge 16-134 2-TD, Ben Deuvendeck 1-minus 2, Lane Osborne 4-27, Benjamin Brinkman 4-20 TD.

PASSING – Carroll County: Treavin Shovlin 4-16-3 25; Russell: Jayden Frasure 4-7-0 105 2-TD.

RECEIVING – Carroll County: Maverick Johnson 1-9, Joshua Anderson 2-15, Jakobi Chapman-Meadows 1-1; Russell: Jordan Rowe 1-32 TD, Caden Mitchell 1-10, Griffin Fisher 1-5, Cayden Pennington 1-58 TD.

MISSED FIELD GOALS–None.