Russellville blazes past Louisville Holy Cross with 559 yards on the ground
As Part of a Three-Part Series on “Who stepped up in 4th Region football this week?”
If anyone had any doubts about Russellville football after it lost its final two games of the regular season, I think those have since been silenced. After blitzing Kentucky Country Day 39-7 in the Class 1A’s opening round, the Panthers sprinted away from Louisville Holy Cross, 47-18, behind an astounding 559 rushing yards. The Cougars came into the game allowing only 157 yards on the ground. The tenth-ranked squad gave up nearly four times that amount in its final game of 2014. 
The Panthers were led by senior Desmon Quarles’ 218 rushing yards and four touchdowns. Quarles eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark on the season with his outstanding performance, while scoring on runs of 7, 20, 3, and 18 yards. However, it wasn’t just the senior back that lifted the Panthers to new heights. Junior Joshua Bigbee and sophomore Johnny Drumgole each surpassed 100 yards for the night as Bigbee ran for 136 yards and Drumgole ran for 124 yards, including a 60-yard scamper. Bigbee is closing in on 800 rushing yards on the season while Drumgole is nearing 700 rushing yards. Quarterback Tecorian Darden is nearing 600 yards and scored two touchdowns of his own in the second round victory. The senior ran seven times for 46 yards while completing only 1 of 3 passes for 30 yards.
Russellville now turns its attention to a team they know all too well: the Mayfield Cardinals. The two-time defending Class 1A state champion escaped defeat against the Panthers less than a month ago, knocking off its rival, 16-8. RHS only rushed for 184 yards in the loss and were led by Drumgole’s 62 yards and one touchdown. The Panthers will need a much stronger effort this week if they expect to knock off the top-ranked Cardinals. Coach John Myers’ program has reached five region finales in eight seasons but is 0-4 in such games. Can 2014 be the year it is turned around? If the Panthers are running like cheetahs again this week, it will certainly be hard to bet against them.
