In Nov. 6-12 Issue
By Derek Aaron
Times Journal Sports Editor

Last Friday, Coach Bill Sharp’s Russell County Lakers whipped the Adair County Indians, 40-14, on Senior Night at Laker Field.

What a game it was to send off the Lakers’ 15 seniors as Russell County scored early and often to win the rivalry game’s Rolling Wave trophy from WHVE 92.7 FM and a check for $927 to go to the Laker football boosters.

The Lakers executed well on both sides of the ball and ended the regular season with a 4-6 overall record and a district record of 1-3.

In the first quarter, senior quarterback Bryon Ellis scored on a short scamper to put the Lakers up a touchdown.

Just before the start of the second quarter, Ellis found his halfback, Jeron Hammond, down the sideline for a touchdown as Hammond beat his man coverage.

In the second quarter, Ellis found senior fullback Chandler McGowan open in the end zone for a score at the seven minute mark. The Lakers led had halftime by three scores.

Russell County scored again in the third quarter when Ellis found senior wideout Quinton Warriner for a touchdown at the 10-minute mark. Then, just a few minutes later, halfback Chad Beard scored to put the Lakers up 33-0 at the 4-minute mark.

A scary moment occurred for the Lakers in the third quarter when senior fullback Chandler McGowan took a shot to his back. McGowan was on the field, motionless, for several minutes while coaches and doctors tended to him. Russell County EMS were brought onto the field who loaded and took McGowan to Russell County Hospital for precautionary tests. After losing feeling in his extremities for a short time, McGowan was treated and released from the hospital that night. He should miss some practice time to heal but is expected to play in the Lakers playoff game on Nov. 14.

After play resumed, the Lakers would score once more when Ellis took it in again with 50 seconds remaining in the third quarter.

Adair County would put up two meaningless scores but the Lakers were just too tough for the visiting Indians.

Ellis had 64 yards rushing and two scores while senior Chris Hammond had 39 yards rushing. Chad Beard had 37 rushing yards and a score while senior Landon Meece had 11 yards. Ellis completed all nine of his passes Friday for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

Warriner, McGowan and Hammond had touchdown catches while Laker receivers Michael Lawless, Cody Stephens and Landon Meece all caught passes for substantial yardage. Meece and Jeron Hammond both recovered fumbles for the Lakers. Senior linebacker Chandler McGowan led the Laker defense with six solo tackles and seven assisted tackles despite his third quarter injury. The Lakers now focus on their KHSAA playoff opponent, Calloway County, on Nov. 14.