Sophomore Russell runs to R-B’s rescue

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HAMPSHIRE – Richmond-Burton, a loser of four consecutive football games and on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention, held off Hampshire, 28-27, Friday night in Big Northern Conference East Division contest.

Sophomore running back Justin Russell, called up this week to the varsity, rushed 12 times for 150 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a scoring pass from David Jewell as R-B (3-4 overall, 1-2 BNC East) halted the losing streak.

“We’re week to week (for the playoffs), but we live to play another day,” R-B coach Pat Elder said. “It was a great effort. We were able to move the football and had a great drive right before the half to score.”

Russell scored on a 14-yard run before the half for a 20-14 halftime lead. Hampshire (4-3, 1-2) scored on Joe Moore’s 4-yard run in the fourth and took a 21-20 lead, but R-B came back with Jewell’s 5-yard scoring toss to Kyle Wismer. Russell’s two-point conversion run provided the eventual winning margin.

Hampshire quarterback Trace Teboda scored with 5:58 remaining, but the Whip-Purs missed the extra point.

Mike Anderson ran for 118 yards for the Rockets, who ground out 338 yards rushing. The Rockets’ two remaining BNC East games are against North Boone and Marengo, which have two wins between them.

“We’ve been looking at Justin and what he was doing with the sophomores,” Elder said. “He did some things last week, and Harrison Daniels was hurt and couldn’t play. It was time to give Justin a chance.”