Russell Closes Out Non-District Play with Win at Larned
The Russell High School football team traveled to Larned on Friday, September 27 and won 48-28.
Larned (1-3 overall, 1-2 Central Kansas League) scored the first touchdown of the game at the 9:41 mark in the first quarter with a four-yard run by junior running back David Colglazier. The two-point conversion attempt was no good. On the ensuing kickoff, Russell's (2-2 overall, 1-2 Mid-Continent League) Walker Middleton returned the kick 84 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point kick was no good. And with just 30 seconds remaining in the first period, Bronco senior quarterback Mason Rohr passed 28 yards for a TD to the junior wide receiver Middleton. Alex Krug's PAT was good. The scoring pass finished a 10-play, 80-yard drive and Russell led 13-6 after one frame.
At the 9:23 mark in the second quarter, Indian junior quarterback Mason Miller connected with junior tight end Tristan Regan on a 41-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was no good. Soon after at the 8:57 mark, Russell's Rohr closed out a five-play, 69-yard drive with a 30-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Dominick Hernandez. Krug's kick was good and the Broncos led 20-12 at halftime.
Larned's Colglazier rushed 14 yards for a TD at the 7:18 mark in the third stanza. The two-point conversion was good, which tied the game. But with 2:34 remaining in the third period, Russell senior running back Brayden Suchy scored a two-yard touchdown run that capped off a 12-play, 54-yard drive. The two-point conversion attempt was good and the Broncos led 28-20 heading into the fourth quarter.
In the final frame, Russell pulled away by scoring three straight touchdowns. The first was at the 9:24 mark when Rohr connected again with Middleton, this time for an 80-yard TD pass. The drive was two plays for 80 yards. The PAT was no good. After an Indian turnover and a short field for Russell, Rohr passed two yards for a touchdown to Hernandez at the 6:22 mark. The drive was just four plays for 25 yards. The two-point conversion was good. And then with 2:12 left in the game, backup Bronco quarterback junior Trey Zorn passed seven yards for a touchdown to senior wide receiver Brayden Schmidt to close out a six-play, 43-yard drive. The PAT was no good. With just 33 seconds remaining in the contest, Larned's Miller connected again with Regan on a 44-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion was good, but too little too late, as Russell cruised to the 48-28 victory.
Larned actually outgained Russell 429 total yards to 360. The Broncos finished with 108 yards rushing and 252 yards passing. The Indians totaled 254 yards on the ground and 175 yards through the air.
Russell's Rohr passed for 233 yards on 14 completions and four scores. He also had 45 yards rushing on four carries. Middleton caught five passes for 133 yards and two scores. Hernandez caught six passes for 59 yards and two scores.
Larned's Miller passed for 175 yards on eight completions and two scores. Colglazier rushed 19 times for 134 yards and two scores. Regan caught six passes for 156 yards and two scores.
Russell had one lost fumble, but forced two Indian interceptions and one fumble.
The Broncos return home on Friday, October 4 for Homecoming and the start of district play against Phillipsburg. Catch the game on KRSL 95.9 and KRSL.com with pregame coverage at 6:15 PM and kickoff at 7.