The Russellville Golden Tigers improved to 3-0 in 5A Region 8 play with a Friday night blowout of the East Limestone Indians, 52-7.
The Indians struggled the first half of season, winning only one of their first four games. After its loss to the Golden Tigers, East Limestone dropped to 0-3 in Region 8 games.
The Indians have a new face as head coach this season after former head coach Jeff Pugh resigned in late May. New coach Clint Woodfin has taken over the program after leaving his assistant coaching position at James Clemens High School.
The game started with the Golden Tigers on offense. Quarterback Harrison Burch threw several first down passes on the opening drive, including receptions by Bralynn Vincent and Randall Johnson.
Randall Johnson’s catch put the Golden Tigers inside the 10 yard line. The Golden Tigers were not able to convert on third down and settled for a 35-yard Manny Martinez field goal with eight minutes left in the first quarter.
The next Golden Tigers' possession showed off the run game. After an 18 yard Burch to TJ King pass, Conner Warhurst ran the ball twice for 52 yards and a touchdown that brought the score to 10-0 with 5:46 left in the first quarter.
On the ensuing drive, the Indians were unable to convert on third down, and a bad punt put the Golden Tigers on the Indians' 43 yard line with 4:09 left in the first.
Warhurst’s name was called for an outside sweep and after breaking several tackles, Warhurst stumbled into the end zone for another score with 3:50 left in the quarter.
With the score now 17-0, the Indians got the ball back and again were unable to convert. Another bad punt set the Golden Tigers up on the Indians' side of the field once again.
King caught a pass on the 10 yard line and dragged the cornerback into the end zone for another Golden Tigers' score, making it 24-0 with 7:30 remaining in the half.
After another stalled East Limestone drive, Banks Langston returned a punt all the way to the end zone but a flag was thrown and that touchdown came back. But Langston's return set up the Golden Tigers with great field position on the East Limestone 43 yard line.
Warhurst found the end zone again off a gap in the middle for his third touchdown of the night making it 31-0 with 4:55 left in the second quarter.
The Indians found their stride and drove the ball down the field looking for a quick score before the half. They didn’t take into account Malachi Duncan.
Duncan intercepted a pass and ran it 99 yards for a touchdown bringing the halftime score to 38-0.
In the second half, King found the end zone on a 87 yard punt return.
With 3:19 left in the third quarter, the Indians finally found the end zone making the score 45-7.
The last score of the night came from freshman Cameron Phinizee on an option play making the final score 52-7.
The Golden Tigers take on a non-region opponent this Friday as the Mars Hill Panthers come to Russellville.
The Panthers have a 4-1 record with wins over Brooks, Colbert Heights, Clements and Elkmont, and a 13-10 loss to Cullman.
Through five games, Mars Hill has outscored its opponents 251-70. Russellville, through five games, has outscored its opponents 156-55, including a 128-7 point differential in the Golden Tigers' three Region 8 games.
The Golden Tigers overall season record is 3-2 with their only losses being to a very good Deshler Tiger team, 14-7, and the Grissom Tigers, 34-21.
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