Golden Tigers looking to stop Trojans' revenge bid
By Staff
Scot Beard
When Russellville takes the field Friday for its second-round playoff game, the Golden Tigers will see some familiar jerseys across the line of scrimmage.
Russellville hosts long-time rival Muscle Shoals for the second meeting of these teams this season.
The Golden Tigers won the previous meeting 20-0 at Muscle Shoals. Russellville coach Doug Goodwin said it would be tough for his team to duplicate that feat.
"I'm sure they've been looking forward to playing us since we beat them," Goodwin said. "We are going to have to play as good or better than the first time we played them to beat them again."
The last time these two squads met Russellville had a two-game losing streak after falling to Hartselle and Saint Paul's.
The Golden Tigers responded by holding Muscle Shoals to 44 yards of total offense.
Russellville's Ryan Romans had one of the biggest games in his career with six catches for 104 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Brent Calloway rushed for 100 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries.
The Golden Tiger defense had 13 tackles for a loss and two sacks.
Goodwin said the Trojans offensive and defensive schemes have not changed much since the last meeting.
"They are doing the same stuff," Goodwin said. "There is a little more option on the offensive side."
Russellville has a 31-14 record all-time against Muscle Shoals, including a current nine-game winning streak. The Golden Tigers and the Trojans have met in the playoffs two previous times.
Russellville won the first meeting during the first round of the 1987 playoffs 32-14. The following year Muscle Shoals won 17-14 in the quarterfinals.
Russellville is not a stranger to playoff rematches.
Last season the Golden Tigers lost to Hartselle in the regular season before defeating the Tigers during the quarterfinals.
This week Russellville will have to weather such an effort from the Trojans.
"We know they've been waiting for us since the last time we played," Goodwin said.
The loss to Russellville was one of only two losses this season for Muscle Shoals. The other loss was to Athens.
Russellville and Muscle Shoals have very different playoff histories.
The Trojans are 5-8 overall in the playoffs and 1-1 during the second round. Russellville is 53-22 overall and 15-6 in second-round games.
Russellville will host this game because it finished higher in the final region standings. That home-field advantage could come in handy for the Golden Tigers.
Russellville holds a 34-8 record in home playoff games. Muscle Shoals is 3-5 on the road, including last week's win at Fort Payne.
The winner of this game will play the winner of the Cullman-Fairfield game next week during the quarterfinals.
