Russellville falls to Deshler in season opener

Just minutes after dropping the season opener at Deshler Friday night, Russellville coach Michael Jackson challenged his team to go back to work and improve on the areas where they struggled.

Deshler knocked off the Golden Tigers 20-17 Friday night in front of a large crowd at Howard Chappell Stadium.

“There were a lot of missed opportunities,” Jackson said.

“Deshler is a good team but we need to get to work on correcting our mistakes.”

The two teams put together a scoring drive each in the first half, but the Golden Tigers let an opportunity to build a lead slip away.

Just after taking a 9-7 lead after a snap sailed over the punter’s head and through the back of the end zone, Russellville took possession at the Deshler 42 yard line. Looking like it had the chance to build on that lead, the offense sputtered and ended up turning the ball back over to the Tigers.

Russellville led 9-7 at the half.

Deshler would eventually build a 20-9 lead late following two field goals and a 12-yard touchdown run with about eight minutes to play.

The Golden Tigers would score and add a two-point conversion with less than two minutes to play to cut the lead to 20-17.

And just when it looked like Russellville had one more shot, another break failed to go the Golden Tigers way.

Russellville recovered an onsides kick, but the officials ruled that the ball failed to go 10 yards before it was touched. Deshler ran out the clock, dropping Russellville to 0-1 on the season.

Russellville hosts region rival Muscle Shoals next week.