Beech Tree News Network

MORGANTOWN — Butler County is set to kick off the 2023 high school football season versus Russellville in the Lewisburg Bank Bowl on Friday, Aug. 18.

Logan County High School will host the Lewisburg Bank Bowl.

The Bears and Panthers are non-district rivals. 

Butler County and Russellville did not meet during the 2022 high school football season. 

The Bears are preparing to compete in Class 3A, District 2. Butler County compiled an 8-3 record during the 2022 high school football season. 

Junior quarterback/defensive back Garrett Phelps is among the players back for the Bears. Phelps was instrumental in Butler County's offensive success throughout the 2022 high school football season.

Along with Phelps, senior offensive tackle/defensive lineman/linebacker Logan Hargrove and senior wide receiver/defensive back Gage Beasley are additional top returning players for Butler County, which made the move up from Class 2A, District 2 via the KHSAA's football realignment. 

Russellville competes in Class 1A, District 1. The Panthers were 1-9 in the 2022 high school football season. However, Russellville finished as the 2021 Class 1A Runner-up. 

Junior quarterback/safety Octavious McKeage is back to lead Class 1A, District 1 frontrunner Russellville. McKeage is a dual-threat quarterback for the Panthers. 

In addition to McKeage, junior defensive end/linebacker David Owens will help to lead Russellville during the upcoming high school football season. 

Kickoff for the Butler County-Russellville game is slated for 5:30 p.m.

The Lewisburg Bank Bowl will feature two games. 

Host Logan County is matched up against Warren Central in the nightcap of the Lewisburg Bank Bowl, which is slated to kick off at 8 p.m.