Golden Tigers set to battle Colbert County Indians in Friday Jamboree

By Josh Prewitt

For the FCT

Russellville High School is coming off a good year under Coach Mark Heaton. The Golden Tigers will host the Colbert County Indians in a jamboree this Friday at 7 p.m. to get a feel for where they are right now as a team.

Russellville finished 8-3 last year, making it to the first round of the playoffs, but unfortunately the season came to an end there as they lost in the first round to Pleasant Grove, who went on to the 5A State Championship game.

Heaton said he is ready to get some live action and in-game situations for his players and coaches under their belts. “I hope to work out all the kinks and (have) dress rehearsal for the kids and coaches in preparation for the opening of the regular season against last year’s 4A state championship runner-up Deshler Tigers in Tuscumbia Aug. 28,” Heaton said.

This year Russellville Golden Tigers have six returning starters on offense and six on defense. Key players offensively and players to be on the look out for are Payton Nichols QB, Deyon Hill RB/WR, Austin Stidham LT, Cam DeArman FB who also will be key player at LB. Defensively players to watch are defensive lineman Austin Bohannon, Jared Thornton and Tyrone Wilson and safeties Colin garrison and JJ Johnson.

“I’m excited to see what those players and rest of our team does this year as we improve from last year’s first round playoff lose. I think we’re going to be a very strong team this year, especially with returning all these players,” Heaton said.

“Our strengths last year were being able to throw the football offensively and control the line of scrimmage defensively. I’m looking for both to be our strengths again this year as well, but we hope to mix some things up and strengthen our run game. If so, our team will be very competitive and a strong team to watch this year,” he added.

Russellville opens up regular season play Aug. 28 in Tuscumbia against Deshler in the clash of the Tigers.