Russell Ends Season with Win at Southwestern Heights
The Russell High School football team closed out its 2024 season on the road at Southwestern Heights on Friday, November 1 with a 43-6 win.
Southwestern Heights (2-7 overall, 2-1 Hi-Plains League, 0-4 Class 2A District 8) scored the first touchdown of the game on a one-yard run by senior fullback Kyler Cox at the 6:55 mark in the first quarter. The extra-point kick was no good. Russell (3-6 overall, 1-4 Mid-Continent League, 0-4 Class 2A District 7) proceeded to then score 43 unanswered points. The Broncos' first touchdown came on a four-yard pass from junior quarterback Trey Zorn to junior tight end Alex Krug at the 3:29 mark in the first period that finished a 10-play, 78-yard drive. The PAT was no good and the game was tied 6-6 after one.
Russell senior quarterback Mason Rohr connected with junior wide receiver Dominick Hernandez for a 35-yard touchdown pass with 9:19 remaining in the second stanza to close out a nine-play, 70-yard drive. The two-point conversion attempt was no good. And with 4:39 left in the first half, Zorn rushed five yards for a TD that capped a six-play, 74-yard drive. The two-point conversion was successful and Russell led 20-6 at the break.
The lone score of the third quarter came at the 7:24 mark when Bronco junior wide receiver Walker Middleton ran 11 yards for a touchdown to finish a four-play, 23-yard drive. The two-point conversion was good and Russell led 28-6 after three frames.
At the 9:43 mark in the fourth period, Russell's Hernandez scored a 51-yard interception return for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was good. And with just 51 seconds remaining in the game, Russell junior running back Wyatt Harmon rushed 18 yards for a TD to close out a three-play, 30-yard drive. The PAT was good and Russell finished the season with a 43-6 win.
The Broncos outgained SWH 368 total yards to 116. Russell finished with 168 yards rushing and 200 yards passing compared to 96 yards on the ground and just 20 yards through the air for the Mustangs.
Harmon led the rushing attack for Russell with 67 yards rushing on nine carries and a score. Zorn completed eight passes for 126 yards and a score. Middleton caught four passes for 81 yards.
The Russell Broncos end their season with an overall record of 3-6.