Before Russellville travels to Fairview next week for what should be a winner-take-all 5A Region 8 championship game, both the Golden Tigers and the Aggies must take care of business this Friday.
The two teams sit atop the Region 8 standings, each with a 4-0 record. Russellville travels to Ardmore Friday to face a 3-4 (2-2) Tigers team that can still play its way into the post season.
Fairview's test this week is not to suffer a letdown against Lawrence County, 2-6 (0-5).
Assuming both the Aggies and Golden Tigers win this week, the showdown will be set as the Golden Tigers will face the team that ended their 2021 season in the second round of the playoffs.
But coaches preach constantly about focusing on the next opponent and not looking ahead, something Russellville Coach John Ritter has told his team as it prepares for Ardmore.
The Golden Tigers had a bye last week, which gave several players with minor injuries additional time to rest and heal.
“With a couple of big region games coming up at Ardmore and Fairview, from a health standpoint, the bye came at the perfect time,” Ritter said.
Russellville has won its four Region 8 games in dominating fashion, outscoring Lawrence County, West Point, East Limestone and Brewer 186-7. That's correct---186-7!
The Golden Tigers have lost their three non-region games, Grissom, Deshler and Mars Hill, and were outscored 79-58 in the process. Russellville will close out its regular season October 28th with a home game against Athens, the Golden Tigers' fourth non-region contest.
Through seven games, the Russellville defense has posted some impressive numbers. Martin Tomas leads the team with 89 tackles, including a sack and five tackles for loss (TFL). Devin Green is a close second. The junior linebacker has 87 tackles with two TFL.
Junior defensive back Malachi Duncan has 39 total tackles and leads the team in sacks, with seven.
The Golden Tiger defense has recovered four fumbles and has intercepted opposing quarterbacks six times. Duncan's two interceptions leads the team.
Russellville's offense has logged some impressive numbers of its own through seven weeks.
The Golden Tigers have outgained opponents 2,510 yards to 1,419, and more than doubled their opponents in passing yards, 1,329 to 633.
Junior quarterback Harrison Burch is 64-123 for 1,240 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions.
Senior wide receivers Randall Johnson and TJ King lead the team in receptions, Johnson with 23 and King with 21. Both have caught six TD passes. Senior Banks Langston has the Golden Tigers' other TD reception.
Senior running back Conner Warhurst leads the talented Golden Tiger ground corps. Of Russellville's 1,181 rushing yards, Warhurst has accounted for 765 on 101 carries. He also leads the team in touchdowns, with 11.
Cam Phinizee has been a bright spot for Russellville. The freshman back has 218 yards on 24 carries and four touchdowns.
Placekicker Manny Martinez has made five of seven field goal attempts, with a long of 34 yards. He's a perfect 24 of 24 on extra points as well.
Punter Richard Scott has 21 punts with an average of 34.43 yards, including a 60-yarder.
King has also been impressive returning punts. The senior averages 24.5 yards per return, including a 91-yard touchdown.
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