Russellville hangs on for fifth straight over Deshler

By Staff
Jonathan Willis
TUSCUMBIA – In a battle between two of the state's most successful programs Friday night, it was two players that could be future teammates who stole the show.
"I looked at it like this, every time I scored, Belue scored," said Russellville junior running back Brent Calloway, referring to Deshler's all-world running back and fellow Alabama commitment Deion Belue.
"I just kept thinking that I had to make the extra play. Everybody on our team did their part and our coaches had a great game plan."
Many of those "extra" plays came on defense when he helped make three straight tackles to force a Deshler punt with less than four minutes remaining. The stand by the Golden Tiger defense sealed the 26 to 21 win for Russellville, extending its winning streak over the Tigers to five.
"It feels great," said senior defensive back and wide receiver Jake Ward.
"We have been working hard all summer and knowing that we never lost to Deshler feels great."
The Golden Tigers fell behind early, however, when Belue raced around the right end for a 66-yard touchdown run on Deshler's fourth offensive play. The extra point gave the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 10:11 remaining in the first quarter.
Russellville drove the ball deep into Deshler territory late in the first quarter before turning the ball over on downs. The Tigers took over at their own 11-yard line and quickly moved the ball out to the 27-yard line. On first down, Belue fumbled the ball giving the Golden Tigers good field position once again.
This time they would capitalize.
Calloway carried the ball five straight plays and plunged in from the one-yard line on the second play of the second quarter. Jose Betancourt's PAT tied the game 7-7.
The Golden Tigers' passing game never seemed to get on track, especially in the first half.
"I wanted to run the ball at Belue in the first half," Russellville head coach Doug Goodwin said.
"He is their best offensive player. I wanted to run the ball at him as much as we could early on so he wouldn't be so effective on offense."
The Russellville offense moved the ball deep into Deshler territory again late in the second quarter, but a Calloway fumble gave the Tigers control of the ball inside their own five-yard line with a little more than two minutes remaining in the half.
On third and six from their own eight yard line, Ward picked off a Parker Wright pass, giving the Golden Tigers one more shot at the end zone before the half.
After three straight incomplete passes, Jyran Darby took a 30-yard pass for a go-ahead score with a minute remaining. Betancourt's PAT hit the upright and Russellville went to the locker room leading 13-7.
The Golden Tigers offense got off to a slow start on the first possession of the second half, but a heads up play by Ward, a back-up quarterback and punter, gave the offense a spark.
On fourth and nine from their own 21-yard line, Ward dropped back into punt formation. The Tigers' defense left Anthony Cochran uncovered and Ward hit him for a 27-yard pass play and a first down.
"That wasn't a called fake," Ward said after the game. "They just left him uncovered and I threw it to him."
Five plays later senior quarterback Joey Howe found Calloway wide open in the middle of the field for a 35-yard touchdown pass. Betancourt added the PAT to give Russellville a 19-7 lead.
Deshler responded with a long scoring drive to cut the lead to 19-14 with just over a minute to go in the third quarter.
When the Russellville offense came back on to the field, Calloway lined up behind center in the Tiger formation. After two runs netted 24 yards, he then took a snap and raced around the right end for a 41-yard score. The PAT made it 26-14.
Deshler answered with their own three play scoring drive when Belue raced in from 59 yards out to cut the lead to 26-21 one play into the final quarter.
The Golden Tigers' defense held on during the final quarter keeping Deshler out of the end zone. Deshler finished the game with 242 yards on the ground, but none through the air. Wright was 0-4 passing with two interceptions.
Darby had 74 yards rushing for Russellville and 45 yards receiving, including a touchdown. Calloway had 19 carries for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He also had one receiving touchdown.
Howe finished the evening with 134 yards passing.
"I am proud of our guys," said Goodwin, who became the first Russellville coach to win his first three games against Deshler. "I am proud of our coaches and players. When people expect a lot out of you sometimes it's easy to get complacent. I am proud of their effort."
The No. 2 Golden Tigers travel to Huntsville for a Thursday night game against Lee next week.