Russellville clinches second place in Region 7
The Russellville Golden Tigers celebrated senior night with a 27-13 varsity football win over the Priceville Bulldogs, clinching second place in Class 5A, Region 7.
Both undefeated FairviewandRussellville will host a first-round playoff games. After RHS finishes regular season play on Oct. 30 at Class 6A Athens, the Golden Tigers will host Boaz in the playoffs on Nov. 7.
Russellville (currently 6-3 overall, 5-1 region) scored first against Priceville when Devin Morris got into the end zone on a short run with 1:39 remaining in the first quarter. The first of three successful extrapoint kicks during the game by David Tomas followed.
Halfway through the second quarter Morris scored again, this time on a 24-yard carry to give RHS a 14-0 lead. After the following onside kick attempt by Russellville failed, Priceville used the good field position and put together a scoring drive that ended with a 35-yard field goal on the last play of the first half.
The Bulldogs got the ball to start the third quarter, but the RHS defense stopped the opening drive and forced a punt.
It took the Golden Tigers only two plays on offense to score again. Tarus Davis got the touchdown on a 30-yard run. With the extra-point kick by Tomas, Russellville was ahead 21-3.
PHS then put together a long drive that got to the Russellville 3-yardline, but a miscue on a first down snap hurt the Bulldogs. Priceville would ultimately have to settle for a 38-yard field goal to end the possession with less than three minutes to go in the third period.
Russellville’s final touchdown came on a 14-yard quarterback run by Whit Goodwin on the first play of the fourth quarter. Priceville scored last on a short run with 6:42 to go in the game.
“I thought we had good focus all week and I’m proud of the effort and intensity that they played with,” head coach Dustin Goodwin said. “Priceville is a really good team, so this is one that we definitely earned and I’m proud of our kids and coaches for being able to do it.”