The Russellville Panther football team shut out the Bethlehem Eagles in their Class A playoff game on Friday night at Rhea Stadium.
The Panthers will continue in the playoffs after their 48-0 win over the Eagles.
The Panthers started the game with a 15-yard touchdown run by senior Zach Hines with six minutes to go in the first quarter. The Panthers lead at the end of the the first half 14-0 after a 13 yard rush by Demarcus Hampton.
The Panthers had a big second quarter starting with six yard touchdown rush by Barrett Croslin early in the second quarter. Shortly after, Demarcus Hampton would rush the ball two yards to put the Panthers further in the lead. But the Panthers would head into the half winning 35-0 after a 41 yard touchdown pass from Croslin to Josh Hampton.
Tacorian Darden would come back from halftime and put the Panthers up 42-0 after a five yard rush to score again for the Panthers. But Demarcus Hampton would end the game for the Panthers with of score of 48-0 after a 61 yard rush to score late in the third quarter.
The Panthers had a total of 465 offensive yards. Demarcus Hampton would lead the Panthers in rushing yards with 149 yards. Croslin ended the game with 68 yards rushing and Zach Hines ended with 50 yards rushing. Croslin would have 159 yards receiving for the Panthers with one touchdown. Josh Hampton would lead the Panthers in receiving yards with a total of 84 yards and one touchdown. Dequan Beard would have 42 yards receiving and Hines with 33 yards.
“I didn’t expect the game to go like this but they took control of the game,” said head coach John Myers. “This team has high goals. We had a big night for our offense. We had a lot of touches and a tremendous team effort tonight.”
The Panthers will face Kentucky Country Day on Friday in Louisville.











