Facing a 21-0 deficit less than four minutes into the game on Homecoming night in Russellville, the Brewer Patriots must have thought their night couldn't get much worse.
Unfortunately, they were wrong.
When the Patriot returner fumbled the ensuing kickoff, the Golden Tigers soon scored a fourth time, with offensive lineman Weston Jackson falling on a Conner Warhurst fumble in the end zone. Jackson was credited with the touchdown and Russellville was on its way to a 35-0 lead after the first quarter.
On a night when Brewer's initial first down came on its final possession of the first half, Russellville posted a completely dominant performance both on defense and offense en route to a 58-0 Homecoming win.
The Golden Tigers improved to 4-3, 4-0 in Class 5A, Region 8 play. Brewer fell to 3-4, 2-2 in Region 8.
Russellville has a bye next Friday before traveling to Ardmore the following week. The Golden Tigers close out the regular season with a road trip to Fairview and a home game against Athens.
With a halftime lead of 35-0, Russellville was seemingly content to play the second half with reserves seeing extensive action.
After Brewer attempted an onside kick, though, the Golden Tiger starting offense took the field for a short drive, one play in fact, as Burch hit King for a 43-yard touchdown on the first play. Russellville led 52-0 seven seconds into the third quarter.
Scoring came early and often for Russellville. Warhurst opened the scoring with a 16-yard touchdown on the first drive. Manny Martinez made the first of his six extra points and Russellville led 7-0 with 10:24 left in the first quarter.
After the first of three first half Patriot turnovers, TJ King scored from five yards out for Russellville's second TD.
When Brewer punted four plays later, RHS quarterback Harrison Burch connected with Randall Johnson for a 79-yard touchdown pass. The Golden Tigers led 21-0 with 8:20 remaining in the first.
Freshman back Cam Phinizee added a 13-yard score late in the quarter, and Martinez' 25-yard field goal and a Burch-to-King 38-yard TD capped off the first half scoring.
Coach John Ritter's team carried a 45-0 lead into halftime.
The Golden Tigers scored a fourth quarter touchdown as Zaye Egglestone's run made it 58-0 early in the fourth.
The fans who stayed until the end saw a healthy dose of younger Golden Tigers take the field throughout the second half.
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