Goodland Upsets Russell

The Russell High School football team hosted Goodland for Senior Night on Friday, October 15 at Shaffer Field and lost 16-14.

It was Goodland's first win of the season.

Russell (4-3, 2-2 Class 3A District 6) attempted an onside kick on the opening kickoff of the game and recovered the ball at the Cowboy 24 yard line after a Goodland player touched it. On just the second play from scrimmage, Bronco running back Jacob Windholz rushed 11 yards for a touchdown. The extra-point kick was no good and Russell led 6-0 after one quarter.

Neither team scored in the second period and Russell led 6-0 at the half.

With 8:04 remaining in the third stanza, Russell quarterback Andrew Roth passed to tight end David Pummell for a one-yard TD to finish a seven-play, 32-yard drive. The two-point conversion attempt was good and Russell led 14-0.

However, the Cowboys would then go on to score the next 16 unanswered points.

With 3:12 left in the third frame, Goodland (1-6, 1-3 Class 3A District 6) scored its first touchdown of the game on a 13-yard pass from Matt Nemechek to Brysun Waters. The two-point conversion was good and the Broncos led 14-8 after three quarters.

With just 1:33 remaining in the game, Goodland's Gentry Deeds rushed 12 yards for a TD to tie the score at 14. The two-point conversion was successful, making the score 16-14. Russell turned the ball over on downs on its last drive and Goodland escaped with the win.

Russell outgained Goodland 266 total yards to 254 yards. The Broncos rushed for 220 yards and passed for 46 yards, while the Cowboys totaled 140 yards on the ground and 114 yards through the air.

Roth passed for all 46 yards for Russell on six completions and rushed for 84 yards on seven carries. Windholz rushed for 46 yards on 10 carries.

For Goodland, Nemechek passed for 96 yards on nine completions. Wingback Mason Hernandez rushed 13 times for 55 yards and caught four passes for 43 yards.

Russell did force two turnovers - a fumble recovery by Brayden Strobel and an interception by Charlie Krug. The Broncos did not commit a turnover and are now plus-five in turnover margin.

Russell next travels to Smoky Valley in Lindsborg on Friday, October 22. Catch the game on KRSL AM 990, 98.1 FM and KRSL.com with pregame coverage starting at 6:30 PM and kickoff at 7 PM.