The Russellville High School football team got a little good news Thursday afternoon, hours before they suited up for their final region game at Columbia.

The Alabama High School Athletic Association ruled that J.O. Johnson had been fined $300, placed on probation for one year and ordered to forfeit five games for violating AHSAA eligibility rules.

The Jaguars beat the Golden Tigers in overtime earlier this season, putting Russellville’s playoff hopes in doubt heading into the final week of region play.

But, with Thursday afternoon’s announcement, Russellville is guaranteed to make the playoffs. With a win over Columbia, the Golden Tigers would now move to 5-2 in region play.

Depending on the outcome of the Athens-East Limestone game Friday, Russellville could now finish anywhere from second to fourth in the region.