RUSSELLVILLE - In their last home game Friday night, the Russellville Indians were put behind the eight ball from the start and they never got out from it, losing 63-16 to the Slater Wildcats.
Running back Chris Seaver rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns for the Indians, who were playing a much bigger and stronger team in Slater. His last one was a 65-yard highlight-reel touchdown with several broken tackles and a stiff-arm on one defender en route to the end zone.
"I saw the hole open up and did what I had to do," Seaver said.
Russellville coach Roger VanDeZande thought he got that easy run because the Indians had passed the ball on three consecutive plays.
"Maybe that surprised them. I don't know," VanDeZande said. "The play was really crisp. It was blocked well and (Seaver) hit the opening quick and did a nice job. It was great to see."
Seaver also had several long kick returns to set the Indians up with great field position, but Russellville was unable to make the most of it on a night where it was going up against a much bigger, stronger, faster team.
Even so, VanDeZande had great things to say about his team's performance when they only dressed 14 players for the game.
"They did a great job with all the adjustments that we did during the game. We played hard against a team that was bigger, stronger, and older. They did really well. I was very pleased."
Quarterback Jesse Daniel threw more passes Friday night than he did at any time of the season tonight, finishing 8-for-20 for 78 yards and an interception. He also made two passes for 2-point conversions.
Fifty-six of those yards went to receiver Josiah Herman, who also nabbed an interception on defense.
Slater quarterback Keegan Zdybel scored on the first play from scrimmage - a 63-yard rushing touchdown - and it continued like that for Russellville the rest of the night. He finished 3-for-7 for 55 yards with two passing touchdowns. On the ground, he ran for 243 yards and five touchdowns.
His brother Grayson Zdybel attempted one pass - the interception by Herman.
Running back Carmelo Hockaday added a touchdown and 94 yards to compliment him. Kenyon Minnis also scored a touchdown and rushed for 92 yards.
"They had some openings, they blocked well, and they hit them quick," VanDeZande said. "They did a nice job running. They're a good running team and their district matchup next week will be fun for them."
Receiver Ja'Korie Terrill caught two passes for 52 yards and a touchdown. Christian Audsley caught one pass for a 4-yard touchdown.
Russellville finishes the regular season 0-7 going into districts next week. The Indians, the No. 6 seed in Class 1 District 3, will play next Friday at Tipton (3-6). While Lincoln has more points in the districts standings than Tipton, Tipton won the head-to-head matchup with Lincoln and will receive the No. 3 seed in the district.