Russellville at West Point to be televised

J.R. Tidwell/FCT Tyler Boyd (1) of Russellville makes a kick return against Giles County last spring.

Russellville High School football fans look forward to every Friday night during football season, but the Golden Tigers’ game in week four will come one day earlier.

Russellville’s game against the West Point Warriors will be televised as part of My68’s ‘Thursday Night Lights” programming block, which shows high school football on Thursday nights.

“The game was moved to Thursday because we had an opportunity to play on TV on a Birmingham station, WABM Channel 68,” Russellville head coach Michael Jackson said.

“We had a chance to play on TV, and our seniors got together and voted on it and decided they wanted to play on Thursday night. You have to play on Thursday night to be the TV game, and they do one every week. They had an opening on game four.”

While viewers in the Birmingham coverage area will get to see the game live, fans back home who do not make the trip will have to wait for the Golden Tigers’ regular game replays to see the action.

“I don’t think it’s on the local programming,” Jackson said.

“We reshow our game every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday night on Channel 2 on Charter cable.”

Playing a televised game adds another level to the experience for the players, fans and coaches.

“Our kids are excited; it adds a little bit to the game,” Jackson said.

“To get to play a game and know it’s on TV and have so much more going around it is great. There is a lot more media involved with the game, and our kids are looking forward to it.”