Golden Tigers dominate 40-7 to clinch berth in title game
By Staff
Scot Beard
For the second straight year and the fifth time since 2002, the Russellville football team will be playing in the state championship game.
The Golden Tigers scored early and never let up in their 40-7 semifinal victory against McAdory.
Russellville will face Demopolis in the championship game.
The win was also special for Goodwin. Not only will this be the fifth time he has lead a team to the Super 6 – twice with Lineville and Russellville and once with Demopolis – the win against McAdory was the 200th of his career.
"I've had a lot of great players and coaches through the years," Goodwin said.
After struggling to move the ball on its first two possessions, the Golden Tigers turned to the defense to make a big play. With McAdory facing first-and-10 from its own 9-yard line, Russellville's Casey Herring recovered a fumble to give the offense its best starting field position of the night.
Three plays later the Golden Tigers opened the scoring on a 9-yard touchdown run by Brent Calloway with 4:42 to play in the first quarter. Jose Betancourt added the extra point to give Russellville the 7-0 advantage.
Calloway extended the lead with a 21-yard scamper four minutes later and Betancourt added another extra point.
The Golden Tiger defense forced another McAdory punt and Russellville answered with a 75-yard scoring drive. Calloway scored his third touchdown with 8:09 remaining in the half to end the drive with a 1-yard run.
McAdory was able to take the ensuing possession into Russellville territory, but another fumble recovery by the Golden Tigers ended the threat.
Russellville drove the Yellow Jacket's 1-yard line, but failed to score and took a 21-0 lead into halftime.
"Other than not scoring, I thought we played well," Goodwin said.
McAdory's woes continued in the second half as Joey Howe found Jake Ward for a 38-yard touchdown pass with 4:57 to play in the third. Betancourt missed the extra point to leave Russellville with a 27-0 lead.
The Yellow Jackets scored with 10:02 to play in the game on a 4-yard run, but Russellville answered four minutes later when Howe hit Mason Willis for a 13-yard touchdown pass on fourth down.
McAdory fumbled the ensuing kickoff and Russellville's Ryan Romans returned it to the Yellow Jacket 19-yard line.
Howe found Willis for another touchdown – this one 12 yards – on another fourth-down play.
"It was the first time I've had two touchdowns," Willis said. "We were ahead, but they had the momentum. It was short distance and I knew they would be looking for a running play so I went over the top."
McAdory drove into Russellville territory one more time, but Ramono Craig recovered another Yellow Jacket fumble for Russellville and the Golden Tigers were able to run out the clock.
With the win Russellville will now have the opportunity to make up for last year's 50-30 loss to Vigor in the state title game. Willis said it has been on his mind for a while.
"It's all I've thought about," Willis said. "We've talked about it since the first day of practice."
Demopolis will be a familiar opponent for Russellville head coach Doug Goodwin – he coached Demopolis before coming to Russellville, leading the Tigers to the 2004 Class 4A state title.
"When the game gets started, you don't worry about who's on the other sideline," Goodwin said. "You worry about calling plays."
