Russellville beats regional rival for first win
The Russellville Golden Tigers opened region play with a 35-6 home victory over the Lawrence County Red Devils.
After starting the season 0-2 versus nonregion opponents, the win over a Class 5A Region 7 rival was big for RHS.
“I’m really proud of our guys and the way they prepared over the week and came out and executed to get our first region win,” head coach Dustin Goodwin said. “I’m thankful for our coaches and kids and it’s good to get the first one.”
Russellville scored first when Whit Goodwin threw to Bryson Cooper on fourth down for a 22-yard touchdown in the first quarter. David Tomas then kicked the first of his five successful PAT attempts to put RHS ahead, 7-0.
Russellville’s Malaki Groce gets away from a Lawrence County blocker.
The Russellville defense stopped the following Red Devils’ drive with a fourth down tackle to give the ball back to the Golden Tigers’ offense. On the next play, Tarus Davis ran for a 74-yard touchdown and RHS was up 14-0 near the end of the opening quarter.
Just a few plays later, the Golden Tigers regained possession of the football when Malaki Groce intercepted a LCHS pass. Russellville converted the Red Devils’ turnover into points when Davis scored again, this time on a 12-yard carry.
The Golden Tigers grew the lead to 28-0 with 2:21 remaining in the first half when Devin Morris punched it into the end zone this time on a 4-yard rushing play.
Lawrence County, led by head coach Brett Voss, received the second half kickoff and went on a nine-play scoring drive that finished with an 18-yard touchdown run by Cam King. Russellville’s Gavin Willis blocked the extra-point kick and the score was 28-6 with 6:57 remaining in the third period.
The fourth quarter featured another touchdown pass from Russellville’s Goodwin to Cooper, this time covering 18 yards to make the score 35-6.
Keifer Hallmark (10) and the RHS defense stops Lawrence County.
Next for RHS will be another home region game. East Limestone will visit Russellville on Sept. 12 after the Indians had a week off. East Limestone is off to an 0-2 start of the season after falling in non-region games to Westminster Christian and Hazel Green.
