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.
RHS Coach John Ritter said the bye week comes at a time when several key players are 'a little banged up.'
“We've got some tough region games coming up with Ardmore and Fairview, who's obviously very good again, so from a health standpoint, it comes at the perfect time,” Ritter said.
“In a bye week, no matter when it is, its success is determined by how the kids handle it. Do we go and get better those next three days of practice, or do we waste it? One thing I've learned about this group the last seven weeks is they are very even keeled. They come to work every day and I'm very proud of the way they responded Friday night after an intense game like Mars Hill,” Ritter added.
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 Harrison Burch hit TJ 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 first half extra points and Russellville led 7-0 with 10:24 left in the first quarter.
After the first of three Patriot turnovers, King scored from five yards out for Russellville's second TD.
When Brewer punted four plays later, 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.
Of Brewer's three turnovers, two were on special teams, an area of emphasis the past week after some special teams breakdowns against Mars Hill.
“We adjusted some things on special teams. We put (freshman) Ben Pounders out there and he had three tackles on kickoffs. Malachi Duncan and Taylor Crumpton also did a good job on special teams,” Ritter said. “Mars Hill exposed some things and those kids took ownership of being on special teams and creating two turnovers on kickoffs.”
The Golden Tigers' final touchdown came from a Zaye Egglestone run to make 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.
With no game to prepare for this Friday, Ritter said his weekend plans were to enjoy some family time with his wife and kids. Golden Tigers coaches will use Friday night to watch both Ardmore and Fairview in person.
“We want this chance to see these teams in person. Sometimes, film can be a little deceptive. Plus film quality can be hit and miss, so it's always an advantage to see a team play live,” Ritter said.
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