Golden Tigers get past Lee 42-6
By Staff
Scot Beard
HUNTSVILLE – Russellville opened its region schedule with a sluggish game against Lee Thursday, but left Huntsville with a 42-6 victory.
The Golden Tigers' misfortune started on the opening kickoff when Ryan Romans raced through Lee's special teams unit and broke free for what looked like a sure touchdown. A Lee player caught up with Romans, however, and forced a fumble.
Lee recovered and took control of the ball at its own 12-yard line.
"That set the tone for the whole first half," Russellville coach Doug Goodwin said.
The Golden Tiger defense forced the Generals to punt and Russellville (2-0, 1-0) got on the scoreboard on the ensuing drive when Joey Howe hit Darrian Graham with a 25-yard touchdown strike on a fourth-down play.
Russellville's offense took advantage of two Lee miscues in the second quarter to extend its lead.
When the Generals (0-2, 0-1) fumbled on their own 27-yard line, Trent Brannon recovered for Russellville.
Brent Calloway scored on a 27-yard run on the Golden Tigers' first play of the drive.
On Russellville's next possession, Howe was picked off at the Lee 15-yard line. Again, it only took Calloway one play to score.
Playing as a linebacker, Calloway broke free of the Lee blockers and tried to sack the quarterback. Instead, his hit forced a fumble and he recovered the ball in the end zone for another score.
"I didn't see the ball because he was blocking my view," Calloway said. "I heard everybody yelling, so I tried to get between him and the ball. By that time it was in the end zone and it was an easy score."
With 1:14 remaining in the half, Lee began a six-play drive for its only touchdown of the game. The point-after attempt failed and the score was 21-6 at halftime.
Jyran Darby and Calloway each scored on 6-yard runs in the third quarter to extend the lead and Howe ended the Golden Tiger scoring with a 36-yard touchdown pass to Jake Ward in the fourth quarter.
"I thought we stunk. We lacked enthusiasm, intensity and we were going through the motions," Goodwin said. "That's my fault."
Russellville welcomes Butler to town Friday in the Golden Tigers' home opener.
