RHS season ends
Tim Alford/ For the FCT Russellville Golden Tigers senior running back Tyler Boyd (1) moves the ball up the field against the McAdory Yellow Jackets Friday night.
Slade Gilmer
For the FCT
RUSSELLVILLE — In the two games prior to Russellville’s second-round match-up against McAdory, the Golden Tiger offense erupted for 107 points.
Unfortunately, the McAdory Yellow Jacket defense had an answer, stonewalling the Golden Tiger offense en route to a dominant 27-3 win in the second-round of the 2012 Alabama Class 5A playoffs.
“We were concerned coming in about their size up front,” said Golden Tiger head coach Michael Jackson. “McAdory has an overall excellent defense, and we just had a tough time blocking them.”
The foreshadowing started on the opening series, as the Yellow Jacket defense stonewalled the Golden Tiger offense, forcing a three-and-out.
Russellville’s defense held after a McAdory first down, getting the ball back on its own 11. The Golden Tigers got a first down on a 16-yard Tyler Boyd run, but were stopped at the 35. A punt went only 10 yards, giving the Yellow Jackets excellent starting field position.
McAdory took advantage, using four rushes and a pass to get the 45 yards. The drive ended on a nine-yard touchdown run by David Knight. Ivan Rodriguez’s extra-point gave the Yellow Jackets a 7-0 lead.
Boyd returned the ensuing kickoff to the Yellow Jacket 47, and aided by a third-down scramble from Luke Smothers and a personal foul penalty, the Golden Tigers set up first-and-10 on the 11.
However, the next three plays netted three yards, and Adam Brown was called upon to attempt a 24-yard field goal. His try was true, cutting the deficit to 7-3.
McAdory started its next drive on its own 32. The big play came on a third-and-nine play, when quarterback Kyran Moore scrambled away from a rushing Russellville defense and gained 22 yards to the 20.
An offsides penalty on fourth-and-three extended the drive, and on a third-and-goal play, Moore found receiver Clinton Powell for a 10-yard touchdown. Rodriguez’s extra-point made the score 14-3.
The two teams were unable to get much going in the third quarter, as the two teams traded punts before Russellville took over on its own 18.
Going to the Wildcat offense behind Boyd and Bud Coleman, the Golden Tigers were able to finally muster a drive against the stingy McAdory defense.
A pair of Smothers scrambles moved the ball to the Yellow Jacket 35, but on a first-down pass, Brian Sledge-Howe stepped in front of intended receiver C.J. Posey and returned the ball to the Golden Tiger 47.
Behind big fullback Garian Bradley, the Yellow Jackets drove deep into Russellville territory before Knight got his second touchdown of the night, pushing the score to 21-3.
After another Yellow Jacket interception—this one from Darius Jackson and returned to the Golden Tiger eight—Knight scampered in for his third touchdown of the night, making the final score 27-3.
On the night, the Golden Tigers’ usually potent rushing attack mustered just 85 yards on 33 carries, while completing only three passes in 12 attempts for 41 yards.
McAdory, meanwhile, rushed for 153 yards on 25 carries, while completing 10 passes in 14 attempts for 90 yards. Boyd ended his career with a 71-yard performance on 15 carries.
Despite the loss, Jackson was pleased with the effort his Golden Tigers gave.
“I am so proud of our kids,” said Jackson. “They kept fighting and battling. I’m especially proud of our seniors. The success we have in the future can be traced back to these guys.
“They brought a pride back in Russellville football, of a tough, physical football team built around a good defense and making big plays on offense.”
The Golden Tigers season ends at 9-3. McAdory (12-0) will host Cullman next Friday in the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs.
