Golden Tigers improve to 3-0 in region play with 35-14 victory
Russellville defenders Jackson Witt (45), Robert Terrell (4) and Hayden Crain (71) converge to force a fumble against East Limestone Friday night. Terrell recovered the fumble for the Golden Tigers. | Scot Beard/FCT
East Limestone caught the Russellville defense off guard Friday night and scored an early touchdown, but the defensive staff made the needed adjustments and the Golden Tigers picked up a 35-14 win.
Russellville coach Doug Goodwin was a little surprised by what he saw from the Indians.
“They hadn’t run that offense all season,” Goodwin said. “After the first series we settled in and the defensive staff did a good job adjusting.”
Russellville (4-0, 3-0) wasted little time getting things going, taking the opening drive 80 yards in six plays. Devan Parker ended the drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Will Bostick to give the Golden Tigers a 7-0 lead less than three minutes into the game.
East Limestone (0-4, 0-3) answered by using its new offensive scheme with a 67-yard scoring drive to tie the game.
Russellville’s next drive ended in a turnover when the Indians intercepted a Parker pass near midfield. East Limestone was unable to take advantage of the good field position because Parker intercepted a pass on the first play of the drive to earn some redemption and give the Golden Tigers some good field position too.
Russellville was able to turn the interception into points when Brent Calloway dashed for a 47-yard touchdown run on the first play of the drive.
The Golden Tigers added to their lead with a 15-yard touchdown run by Calloway midway through the second quarter that capped an 11-play drive that covered 67 yards.
Calloway scored his third touchdown of the night – and his 11th rushing touchdown of the season — on a 9-yard run to put the Golden Tigers ahead 28-7.
The Russellville defense stopped the ensuing East Limestone drive at midfield and forced a punt. Russellville took possession at the 6-yard line and quickly picked up a first down.
Two plays later the Indians recovered a Russellville fumble and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 28-14.
Neither offense threatened to score for much of the fourth quarter, but Indians took possession at their own 35-yard line with 2:07 remaining in the game.
On the first play of the drive, Romano Craig intercepted a pass and appeared to return it for a touchdown, but the officials ruled him down at the 2-yard line.
Tevin Cross scored on the next play to give Russellville a 35-14 lead.
Calloway finished the night with 199 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries.
Parker completed 7-of-14 passes for 100 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Bostick caught three passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Russellville play Walker next week.
