Russellville hopes to weather Boaz storm

Russellville coach Dustin Goodwin, after called on to be a meteorologist for much of the week, can now focus on football.

The Golden Tigers (6-4) will host Boaz (8-2) on Friday in a first-round Class 5A playoff game.

Yes, on Friday. The game — barring further contemplation — will be with seasons on the line.

“It’s win or go home,” Goodwin said.

Russellville faces an unusual situation in that it is hosting a first-round game against a ranked team. No. 10 Boaz is one of six ranked AHSAA teams on the road this week.

“They’re coached well, play hard, are ranked 10th and have a better record than us,” Goodwin said. “We’re going to have to show up and play well.”

While the Pirates surged at the end of the regular season, Russellville stumbled.

Boaz, since a 34-17 loss to Guntersville three weeks ago, won its final two regular-season games. The Pirates grabbed a spot in the state rankings for the first time since 2018 — and for just the second time since 2003.

Russellville, after losing 35-28 at still-unbeaten Fairview a month ago, won its next three before dropping its regular-season finale 28-12 last week at 6A Athens.

But Goodwin said the Golden Tigers have adjusted to the playoff atmosphere.

“It’s been a good week,” Goodwin said Wednesday. “We didn’t play as clean last week as we wanted, but they know that. The speed of the game was something and that will help us. I don’t think it hurt our confidence.”