The real damage came from the Russellville running backs as Kirby Nelson had 17 carries for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Abernathy had the biggest game of his season as he added 214 yards on 14 carries and four scores.
“It was the best game we’ve played this year; so far," stated Abernathy Saturday morning. “We practiced running the ball all week."
Abernathy's thoughts on the team’s performance; “Everybody had a good game, really. Fergerson, (Seth) Young, (Bret) Rashad Graham, all played good defense. Everybody had a good game on both sides of the ball.”
Russellville scored the first points of the game late in the first quarter and never looked back. The Golden Tigers built a 31-7 halftime lead and picked up where they left off at the beginning of the third quarter. Abernathy had a 73-yard touchdown run erased on a penalty, but got 61 yards of it right back on a trap play he broke to the outside.
The defense stepped up in the second half as Bret Young (6-6, 228, DE) recovered a fumble at the Hartselle 17-yard line, which led to a Trapp to Abernathy 10-yard touchdown pass.
Jacob Daniel came up with the next big turnover as he made a good play to intercept a Wes Chenault pass at the Russellville 43. It took the Golden Tigers all of three running plays to cash in on the Hartselle miscue with Kirby Nelson scoring from 10 yards out.
Final score Russellville 45 Hartselle 21
Coach Bob Godsey will have to get his Hartselle High team past their disappointing performance Friday night, as the Muscle Shoals Trojans and coach Curley Hallman come calling. The Trojans got a big win over Brewer Friday night, so they will come in on a high note.
Coach Perry Swindall will face the same circumstance coach Godsey faced this week in trying to get his young men back on track after an emotional win over the Hartselle Tigers. The Golden Tigers will go on the road this week to face J.O. Johnson.
One thing is certain; there are no easy games in this region. Every week is like a play-off game.
This is a fun region to watch!
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