Golden Tigers to open season ranked No. 1
The Russellville football team finished the 2009 season as the runner-up in Class 5A, but will open the 2010 season ranked as the top team in the Alabama Sports Writers Association poll.
The Golden Tigers beat out Demopolis for the No. 1 spot. Both teams had 15 first-place votes. Demopolis beat Russellville in the state championship game last season.
“We haven’t played well the last two seasons when we were ranked No. 1,” Russellville coach Doug Goodwin said.
Russellville briefly held the No. 1 ranking during the 2008 and 2009 seasons, but lost the week after gaining the top spot.
“I think the team that won (the championship) should open the season ranked No. 1,” Goodwin said.
Red Bay was the only other team from Franklin County to receive any votes. The Tigers did not earn a ranking, but are only a few points behind the tenth-ranked team.
