Golden Tigers rout Brewer Patriots 52-0
The seventh ranked in Class 5A Russellville Golden Tigers dominated from start to finish in all phases of the football game Friday night to get a region win over the A.P. Brewer Patriots.
Playing the first away game of the season was no problem for RHS, as the Golden Tigers improved their record to 4-0 on the season and 2-0 in region play with a 52-0 win.
In the first half alone, Russellville scored two touchdowns on special teams and another on an interception return and added a field goal. Two other opening-half touchdowns were set up by a blocked punt and a fumble recovery by the RHS defense, and the Golden Tigers led 37-0 after two quarters.
“We scored in every phase of the game. It’s a really good night when you can come out and run about 22 plays and score 52 points,” said Russellville head coach John Ritter.
The second half featured a running clock because of the lopsided score, and young players were able to get valuable varsity playing time.
“It’s always good to try and get as many players in as you can,” Ritter said. “It’s fun for those guys to be able to get some snaps under the Friday night lights where it’s just a little different.”
Russellville’s first touchdown of the game was by TJ King on an 82-yard return of the opening kickoff. After forcing a Brewer punt to end the Patriots’ opening possession, RHS put together a scoring drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal by Manny Martinez to put the Golden Tigers up 10-0.
Malachi Duncan next intercepted a Brewer pass and scored a touchdown on the long return.
Early in the second quarter, the RHS defense made another big play when Martin Tomas recovered a Brewer fumble. On the next play, Boots McCulloch took a handoff from quarterback Gabe Amick and scored on a 64-yard run. The Martinez PAT kick put the Golden Tigers up 24-0.
The following BHS drive was short, and the Russellville special teams unit struck again when Devin Green blocked a Patriot punt and Dallan Montgomery recovered the ball. Three plays later, Russellville was back into the end zone when Conner Warhurst scored on a run for a 10-yard TD.
King later scored his second touchdown of the game when he fielded a punt near midfield and took it all the way to the end zone.
Brewer continued to struggle in the second half. After a three-and-out on their first possession, the Patriots’ snap went over the head of the punter to give RHS the ball deep in Patriot territory. Duncan made BHS pay when he took a handoff on the next play and scored on a 10-yard run.
Another punt snap went wrong for the Patriots in the fourth quarter, leading to a safety, and Russellville’s Zaye Eggleston scored his first varsity touchdown on a 1-yard run after he ran for 34 yards on the previous play.
Up next for the Golden Tigers will be another region game, as the Lawrence County Red Devils will visit RHS Sept. 17.
