Golden Tigers eye playoffs

By Staff
Scot Beard
Russellville still has an outside shot of claiming the Class 5A, Region 8 title, but they need help from Lee and Muscle Shoals.
The Golden Tigers do control their playoff fate, however. They can clinch a playoff berth with a win this week at East Limestone and can wrap up at least the No.-2 seed if they also defeat Athens next week.
Russellville (5-2, 4-1) has won its last two region games while the Indians (4-3, 2-3) lost at Muscle Shoals last week.
The East Limestone defense has struggled stopping the run this season. The Indians have allowed four opponents to gain more than 200 rushing yards this season, including a season high 414 to Muscle Shoals last week.
They have allowed and average of 169.4 rushing yards and 308 total yards per game.
Russellville has gained an average of 183.7 rushing yards and 338.3 yards per game.
The East Limestone offense makes it's living on the run game. The Indians are averaging 209.6 rushing yards per game while Russellville is allowing only 127.8 rushing yards per game.
The Indians also has a decent passing attack. Quarterback Manley Carpenter has completed 36-of-55 passes for 589 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions.
By comparison, Russellville quarterback Joey Howe has completed 57-of-127 passes for 769 yards with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
Turnovers could be the deciding factor in this game. The Indians are plus two in turnover margin while the Golden Tigers are minus eight.
The game at East Limestone begins at 7 p.m.