By Brent Maze

For the FCT

HARTSELLE- Hartselle used three Russellville turnovers in the second half to blow open a tight game to win 27-0, clinching the third seed in Class 5A, Region 8.

The Tigers (7-2, 5-2) will travel to Pinson Valley for the first round of the Class 5A playoffs Nov. 8. The Golden Tigers (4-5, 3-4) were eliminated from playoff contention.

Head coach Bob Godsey called the win a playoff-type victory.

“That just what you have to do to win in the playoffs,” said Godsey, who picked up his 100th win at Hartselle High School. “You just have to keep fighting and take advantage of the opportunities you get. That’s what we did.”

D’Andre Mack was the workhorse again for the Tigers. He rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. The Tigers also welcomed back senior Masio Stover, who rushed or 84 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.

Stover hasn’t seen action since the Lawrence County game. He was a team captain and played the game with a cast on one of his hands. Stover didn’t waste time getting back into the end zone, scoring from two yards out with 6:02 left in the second quarter.

Jack Waterman hit the extra point to make give the Tigers a 7-0 lead at halftime.

Then, the Golden Tigers had trouble hanging on to the football in the second half. Russellville turned the ball over three times in succession to start the third quarter.

Zac Pershin recovered the first fumble near midfield. However, Hartselle was forced to punt.

Dakota Youngblood recovered a muff on the punt, setting up Mack’s first 11-yard touchdown. He finished off the scoring with another 11-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.