Walker uses strong first half to down RHS

Russellville hoped this year’s game against Walker would go better than last season’s match-up, but the Vikings jumped out to a sizable lead early and the Golden Tigers couldn’t recover as Walker won 32-17.

Russellville’s first drive of the game stalled at the Walker 30-yard line and the Vikings responded by ending a 70-yard scoring drive with a 31-yard screen pass to take a 7-0 lead.

The Golden Tiger offense once again stalled, failing to pick up a first down on the ensuing possession. The Viking offense padded the lead with a 60-yard touchdown pass.

Russellville later fumbled on its own 14-yard line and Walker added another touchdown to take a 20-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Walker added a 25-yard field goal before Russellville’s offense was able to get on the scoreboard.

Golden Tiger quarterback Devan Parker connected with Tyler Boyd on a 37-yard touchdown pass while Jose Betancourt added the PAT to cut the deficit to 23-7.

Betancourt intercepted a pass later in the second quarter and the Russellville offense drove to the Walker 17-yard line where the drive stalled. Betancourt then kicked a 34-yard field goal to pull Russellville within 13 points.

The Golden Tigers capitalized on a Walker fumble in the third quarter when the Vikings turned the ball over on their own 20-yard line. The Golden Tigers scored on a 5-yard touchdown run to cut Walker’s lead to 23-17.

Russellville was driving to tie the game in the fourth quarter, but the Viking defense intercepted a pass at the Walker 20-yard line and returned it to the Russellville 15-yard line. Four plays later Walker punched it into the end zone on a 1-yard run.

Walker added a 35-yard field goal to seal the win late in the fourth quarter.