Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County High School football team will be idle this week instead of heading to Russell County for a Friday night gridiron match-up. According to school officials, the game was cancelled early Friday due to positive Covid-19 cases in school and some quarantined players.

"We regretfully announce the scheduled varsity football game between Russell County and Butler County has been cancelled," said Ryan Emmick, who is Director of Transportation, Maintenance, and School Safety for Butler County Schools. Emmick is also the Covid point of contact for the district.

"Superintendent Robert Tuck and Russell County Superintendent Micheal Ford have been in communication since late afternoon yesterday discussing the recent increase of Covid positive cases and contact tracing of Covid within the Russell County school district," said Emmick. "After much consideration, it was mutually agreed to cancel tonight’s varsity football game between the schools in the best interest of the health and safety of the student athletes and communities involved."

Below is the orginal story previewing tonight's game:

Butler County is scheduled to visit Russell County in Week 6 of the 2020 high school football season on Friday, Oct. 16.

The Bears and Lakers are set to meet in a non-district matchup. 

Butler County (1-4) will be looking to halt a four-game losing skid. After defeating Hart County in a season opener, Butler County has dropped to four consecutive games to McLean County, Hancock County, Grayson County and Todd County Central. 

Quarterback Jagger Henderson leads the Bears. Through the air, Henderson has completed 55 of 108 passes for 598 yards and seven touchdowns while throwing three interceptions. On the ground, Henderson has rushed 59 times for 320 yards and four touchdowns.

As a team, Butler County has rushed 133 times for 591 yards and seven touchdowns.

Solomon Flener paces the Bears in receiving. Flener has hauled in 18 receptions for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Following Flener in receiving for Butler County, Bryar Beasley has hauled in 10 receptions for 133 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively for Butler County, Josh Morris has posted a team-high 44 tackles. Ranking second in the key defensive category for Butler County, Dylan Silcox has logged 36 tackles. 

Russell County is off to a 4-0 start in the 2020 high school football season. The Lakers have notched wins over Casey County, Warren East, Warren Central and Franklin-Simpson. Through its first four games in the 2020 high school football season, Russell County has outscored opponents 186-62.

Russell County has rushed 156 times for 1,021 yards and 15 touchdowns. Leading the Lakers on the ground, Collin Darnell has rushed 56 times for 458 yards and five touchdowns. Ranking as Russell County's second-leading rusher, Dylan Bland has rushed 49 times for 295 yards and six touchdowns.

Through the air for Russell County, quarterback Gavin Gossage has completed 27 of 55 passes for 436 yards and eight touchdowns. Gossage has thrown four interceptions. Making an impact through the air and on the ground, Gossage has rushed 28 times for 177 yards and three touchdowns. 

CJ Vonfumetti leads the Lakers in receiving. Vonfumetti has hauled in 11 receptions for 207 yards and six touchdowns.

Mason Hinkle paces Russell County defensively. Hinkle has posted a team-high 40 tackles for the Lakers. 

Kickoff for the Butler County-Russell County football game is set for 7 p.m.