Written By: Johnny Fields
Friday night, September 22nd, Fleming County will host Russell in a 3A District 6 matchup. Fleming County enters the game 3-1 on the season. Russell comes into the game sitting at 2-3. Fleming County is coming off a bye week, while Russell is coming off a tough loss to a very good Ashland Blazer team. Both teams are looking to start district play with a win.
Fleming County coach, Bill Spencer said that his team had a good open week and used it to get healthy and to focus on some areas of concern that he and the coaching staff had. He said that his team is 100% focused on Russell. He knows that his team has to control the line of scrimmage and that they have to limit turnovers against a very opportunistic Russell defense.
Fleming County features a workhorse in Austin Trent. The senior tailback enters Friday night’s matchup ranked #7 in the 3A state rankings averaging 138 yards per game and has 6 TDs on the season. Austin has been a workhorse for Fleming County for the past few seasons and is a leader in the weight room and always willing to put in extra work.
Fleming County QB, Nate Martin is ranked #11 in the 3A rankings averaging 146 yards per game, completing 36-64 passes for 60.9% and 4 TDs. Nate’s confidence has really grown since last season. He has become more comfortable running the offense and the results on the field are showing his growth and leadership on the field.
Fleming County as a team is averaging 33.8 ppg and only allowing 23.2 ppg on the season. They rank #14 in 3A teams in scoring margin difference at 10.5 ppg. The Panthers are #12 in 3A in rushing, averaging 220 yards/game, and are #9 in 3A in passing averaging 161 yards/game. The Panthers also rank #5 in rushing defense allowing only 62 yards/game.
Russell is being led by QB, Ethan Pack. Ethan Pack is ranked #22 in 3A passing, completing 33 of 61 for 54.1% and a total of 381 yards. He is averaging 76 yards per game passing and has 7 TDs on the season. He is also averaging 54 yards per game on the ground and has ran for 1 TD.
Russell tailback, Andre Richardson-Crews is ranked #26 in 3A rushing. Andre is averaging 82 yards per game and has 4 TDs on the season.
Russell comes into the matchup averaging 23.4 ppg and allowing 23.6 ppg. Russell is ranked as the #16 team in 3A rushing averaging 205 yards per game.
Both teams are hungry for wins and want to start off district play with a win. Will Russell be able to contain Austin Trent and Nate Martin? Will Fleming County be able to contain Ethan Pack and Andre Richardson-Crews? Will the Panthers’ offense be able to dictate the line of scrimmage, or will the Red Devils’ defense prove to be too stingy? One thing is certain, this should be a battle! You do not want to miss this matchup this Friday!
