Russellville moves closer to region title with 34-7 win over Trojans
A pass falls between Darrian Graham (9) and Robert Terrell (4) on fourth down Friday night. Russellville won 34-7. | Scot Beard/FCT
MUSCLE SHOALS — One streak ended and another continued Friday night when Russellville rolled past Muscle Shoals 34-7 to gain the inside track for the Class 5A, Region 8 title.
The Golden Tigers’ streak of consecutive shutout quarters against the Trojans ended at 12 when Muscle Shoals (5-2, 4-1) scored midway through the fourth quarter, but Russellville extended its winning streak against the Trojans to 11 games.
“We wanted to shut them out, but we’ll take 34-7,” Russellville coach Doug Goodwin said.
Russellville (6-1, 5-0) drove to the Muscle Shoals 7-yard line on its opening drive before turning the ball over on downs.
The Trojans then marched down the field with a 20-play drive that took 9:42 off the game clock, but did not pick up any points because they fumbled at the Russellville 1-yard line and Darrian Graham recovered for the Golden Tigers.
Facing third-and-5 from Russellville’s own 5-yard line, Romano Craig broke loose for a 5-yard run to the Trojan 45-yard line. Two plays later Brent Calloway scored on a 37-yard run.
Russellville led 7-0 at halftime.
Muscle Shoals fumbled again on its first possession of the second half and Calloway made the Trojans pay for their mistake when he recovered the fumble and returned it 56 yards for another touchdown.
Calloway added another score with 8:54 remaining in the game with a 32-yard touchdown run to extend the Golden Tigers’ lead to 21-0.
Muscle Shoals scored three minutes later, but Russellville answered with an 11-yard touchdown run by quarterback Devan Parker.
Muscle Shoals had two more possessions, but both ended in interceptions. Jose Betancourt had one of the picks and Graham had the other. Graham’s pick was returned 55 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the game.
Calloway ended the night with 21 carries for 142 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
