By Staff
Brandon Shields
For the FCT
WEST POINT – The West Point Warriors came into the region matchup with a little extra intensity, and it showed in the early going against Russellville (7-1 overall, 5-1 region) as they were able to hold the Golden Tigers to a fourth down on the first drive of the game.
Unfortunately for West Point (1-7, 0-6), Russellville converted on that fourth down with a 64-yard touchdown pass that would be the first of five scores as Russellville rolled to a 35-0 win.
"Holding them on that play would have been big I think," said West Point head coach Michael Simmons. "We came out with a lot of intensity and were playing well, and we ended up getting an interception on their next drive."
The long pass from Cory Trapp to Caleb Mitchell was only the first of a string of long plays that put the Golden Tigers in the endzone.
"The main difference in the game was four big plays that they made," Simmons said. "We did a good job of challenging their carriers and keeping them from getting big gains until they got those big plays in the second quarter to pull out ahead from us."
Russellville added three more touchdowns in the second quarter when Trapp connected with Ryan Romans from 39 yards out and Mitchell had a 65-yard run.
Running back Mike Abernathy got in on the scoring with an 8-yard run after leading the offense down the field. Abernathy then finished the scoring early in the fourth with a 1-yard run.
Abernathy finished with 170 yards on 15 carries with the two scores.
Laterrick Williams led West Point with 51 yards on 12 carries.
Brandon Jacobsen and Derek Basinger each recorded an interception for West Point, while Mitchell, Patrick Akers and Jacob Daniel each caught an interception for Russellville.
"We suffered a real emotional loss last week," said Russellville head coach Doug Goodwin. "We came out tonight with more of a business-like attitude and just did what we had to do to get the win."
The Golden Tigers will play Muscle Shoals next Friday in their homecoming game at RHS Stadium.