By Staff
Scot Beard
With a home playoff game on the line, Russellville's Nathan McAlister walked onto the field in Athens knowing the Golden Tigers needed a victory.
When he walked off the field at the end of the game, he had recorded a pair of touchdowns and set a school record in helping his team defeat Athens 35-20.
McAlister set a receiving record with 181 yards on nine catches for an average of 20.1 yards per reception.
After Athens cut the Golden Tiger lead to 14-10, McAlister hauled in a 25-yard pass from Joey Howe before halftime for his only receiving touchdown of the night.
By the fourth quarter, Athens pulled to within one point of the Golden Tigers, but McAlister helped put the game away when he intercepted a pass and returned it 70 yards for another score.
He recorded five tackles on defense, including one for a loss, and the interception.