Top-ranked RHS meets No.-7 Hartselle tonight in key Region 8 game

By Staff
Scot Beard
Earlier this week the Russellville football team reclaimed the No.-1 ranking in Class 5A for the first time since November of 2006.
Tonight the Golden Tigers will try maintaining the lofty ranking when they host No. 7 Hartselle.
"Prior to the Deshler game we weren't supposed to win many games, now we are ranked really high," said Russellville coach Doug Goodwin. "Rankings don't mean much. Winning the region and winning in the playoffs is what is important."
The winner of this game will be in the driver's seat for the Class 5A, Region 8 title.
Both teams are coming off shutouts and both defenses are looking good. The Golden Tiger defense has allowed only 10 points per game while Hartselle is allowing 4.3 points per game.
In a game where two good defenses dominate, the offenses will need to produce.
Hartselle is averaging 28.6 points per game while Russellville has averaged an impressive 45.3 points per game.
Goodwin said he is expecting a strong game from Hartselle.
"They're a good team, a lot like last year's team," Goodwin said. "They run and throw well and they are sound in the kicking game."
Russellville leads the series 21-3-1 and is currently on a 13-game winning streak against Hartselle. The last time the Golden Tigers lost in the series was during the 1981 playoffs.
Over the years Russellville has dominated the series, outscoring Hartselle 670-329 and has shutout the Tigers six times including a 0-0 tie in 1954.
Goodwin said this year's squad has been focused and has not let the high rankings go to their heads.
"(Their) attitudes have been good throughout practice," Goodwin said. "It has been about the same from (the start of fall practice)."