By AARON SNYDER — The Independent
ASHLAND — The success of the Ashland football program is not likely to tumble any time soon.
Not with the phenomenal freshmen, which were on display at the 58th annual Kiwanis Bowl Thursday night at Putnam Stadium.
Ashland freshmen defeated Russell freshmen, 36-3, behind a quick-strike offense and a nearly immovable defense.
“What a super bunch of freshmen,” said Ashland coach Jack Harris. “They’re a really tight-knit group. I am blessed to have these kinds of kids. I wish I could have that every year.”
Harris missed the first three games of his team’s season because he was recovering from a heart attack. But when he returned, he was immediately pleased.
Ashland (7-0) had only given up 14 points in those three games, and went on to allow just 25 points in seven games, while the offense scored 226 total points.
Logan Salow is the leader of the offense as quarterback, and he earned the game’s Outstanding Offensive Player award. Salow rushed for 122 yards on eight carries, including two long touchdown runs of 30 and 57 yards in the first quarter. He also had two passing touchdowns in the game.
Ashland took a 21-0 lead into the half, while the defense allowed only three Russell first downs. Salow connected with Devon Turner on a swing pass that turned into a 35-yard score.
Russell (5-4) momentarily swayed the momentum early in the third quarter, recovering a fumble after a long drive by Ashland. However, the Red Devils fumbled on the very next play, and Ashland capitalized with a 5-yard touchdown run by Matt Tillett.
The Red Devils also had an opportunity just before halftime, but Dylan Howard’s heave from his team’s own territory to the Ashland 10-yard line was intercepted by Salow.
“I thought we moved the ball at times, but really nothing went our way tonight,” said Russell coach Buford Hurley II.
Ashland scored on another long touchdown pass, which went from Salow to Noah Wessel for 43 yards and a two-point conversion followed, giving the Tomcats a 36-0 lead.
Russell tacked on a field goal in the final seconds to get points on the board.
“This is probably one of the most dominant Ashland teams that I’ve seen in a long time,” Hurley II said. “They’re very quick.”
Ashland subdued Russell’s running game, surrendering only 109 yards on the ground. Troy Huffine, Gage Stevens and Howard each rushed for more than 30 yards.
The Red Devils did not reach Ashland territory until the 6:48-mark of the fourth quarter.
Howard was named Russell’s Outstanding Offensive Player. Stevens earned Outstanding Defensive Player.
Tillett was named Outstanding Defensive Player for Ashland.
The result was the most lopsided score in Kiwanis Bowl history.
AARON SNYDER can be reached at asnyder@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2664.
