RHS trying to avoid first three-game skid since 1997

By Staff
Scot Beard
If the Russellville football team did not have a sense of desperation following its loss at Hartselle, it should have one now.
The Golden Tigers dropped last week's game to Saint Paul's 24-7 and are on a current two-game losing streak.
This week they face Muscle Shoals. The Golden Tigers have not lost to Muscle Shoals since the 2000 season and it has been 12 years since they have had a three-game losing streak.
Compounding the problem is the fact the Trojans are much better than they were during much of the past decade.
Muscle Shoals is currently 4-1 overall and 2-1 in region play.
"They have a good team," Russellville coach Doug Goodwin said. "They are much improved from last year. They have a lot of confidence and a win streak going."
Goodwin said for the Golden Tigers to win this road game, they will have to play much better than they have in the previous two games.
Most of the improvement needs to happen on the offensive and defensive lines.
"We got whipped last Friday," Goodwin said. "We allowed the opposition to control both sides of the ball. That makes it tough to win."
The Trojans opened the season with a 29-6 win against Colbert County before dropping their first region game at Athens 27-0.
Muscle Shoals has won its previous three games, defeating Lee 38-7, Butler 55-8 and Wilson 52-6.
Russellville has also defeated Lee, by a score of 42-6 and shutout Butler 56-0.
The Golden Tigers have struggled to score the past two games, averaging only 10 points per game during the losing streak. They averaged 41.3 points in each of their wins.
Turnovers hurt the Golden Tigers against Hartselle and the Saint Paul's offense controlled the ball for more than 30 minutes.
Russellville will need to cut down on the turnovers and maintain control of the ball to slow down what is becoming a potent offense for the Trojans.