After several Fridays off due to COVID-19, Crittenden County and Russellville return to the gridiron Friday in Marion for the second round of the Class 1A football playoffs.
Both teams were idle last week after first-round opponents Caverna and Fulton County opted out of the playoffs due to the coronavirus.
Russellville [5-3] last played three weeks ago when they handed Todd County Central a 33-0 loss. The Panthers rushed for 257 yards, averaging over 10 yards per carry as a team. Jovari Ganble ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries.
Crittenden did a good job of limiting Gamble in its 47-6 over Russellville on Oct. 23. He had 57 of the team’s 73 yards on the ground.
Chevis Elliott is the top defender for Russellville with a team-high 71 tackles and five sacks.
The Rockets sandwiched six wins between losses to Caldwell County and Henderson County. Their last game was a 10-9 loss to the Colonels a month ago.
In Crittenden’s win over Russellville earlier this year, Caden McAlister ran for 197 yards and five touchdowns. He got the bulk of the carries after leading rusher Xander Tabor was injured. Tabor is unlikely to play Friday.
Crittenden’s defense is giving up just 188 yards and 13 points a game.
The Rockets have won five straight against Russellville dating back to 2016. Friday will be the third time the schools have met in the playoffs. The Panthers won the 2006 game, while Crittenden won 41-3 last year.
Crittenden County has won six straight playoff openers, while Russellville hasn’t lost a postseason opener since 2005.
