RHS blanks Muscle Shoals for second Trojan shutout of year
By Staff
Scot Beard
Many of the Russellville football players felt disrespected by Muscle Shoals fans heading into Friday's second round playoff game.
Internet message boards were covered with posts about how the Trojans would defeat Russellville.
"They've been talking on all the forums," Russellville receiver and defensive back Ryan Romans said. "They have a good team, but they had no reason to do all that talking."
Thanks to Romans, the Golden Tigers gave Muscle Shoals fans plenty to talk about in the coming week as Russellville shut out Muscle Shoals for the second time this season.
While the Trojan fans talk, the Golden Tigers will be preparing for their third-round game against Cullman.
Both teams struggled in their opening drives, but Muscle Shoals got rolling on its second possession and drove deep into Russellville territory. The Golden Tiger held and forced the Trojans to try a 37-yard field goal.
Romans was lined up off sides on the attempt and Muscle Shoals tried again from five yards closer. Romans got redemption when he blocked the kick late in the first quarter.
In the closing seconds of the second quarter, Romans intercepted a pass and returned it 90 yards for the game's first score. Jose Betancourt added the extra point to put the Golden Tigers up 7-0 at halftime.
"It was a third-and-long situation and I figured they would throw," Romans said. "I just had to sit back and wait for the pass."
Russellville opened the second half with a three-play, 73-yard scoring drive. Brent Calloway carried the ball all three plays, the last of which was a 46-yard touchdown run to put Russellville ahead 14-0.
"We knew we needed to set the tone. We had to come out and put them to shame," Calloway said. "We started playing to our potential."
Both teams used a rushing attack for most of the game. Muscle Shoals had 153 rushing yards while Russellville picked up 192 yards on the ground.
Russellville dominated in passing yards with 92. The Trojans completed only 1-of-6 passes for six yards.
Calloway finished the night with 95 yards on eight carries and a touchdown.
Romans, by far, had the biggest night. In addition to the 90-yard interception return and blocked field goal, he had four catches for 76 yards and one rush for 15 yards.
In the game earlier this season, Romans had 106 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Trojans.
"It's amazing he's had the two games he's had against them," Russellville coach Doug Goodwin said.
With the win the Golden Tigers will host Cullman in a rematch of last year's semifinal game. The game will begin at 7 p.m.
