Golden Tigers finish region portion of football schedule with win over Priceville
The Russellville Golden Tigers went to Priceville Friday night to face the Bulldogs in the first-ever meeting on the football field between the two schools. RHS got the win by a 28-12 final score and improved to 7-2 on the season and 5-1 in region play.
Russellville followed the recent pattern of falling behind to start the game when Priceville completed an 11-yard pass on fourth down and the Bulldogs scored on the next play with a short touchdown run on the first possession of the contest. Zay Hubbard of RHS blocked the extra-point kick to make the score 6-0.
The Golden Tigers answered on their first offensive possession when Elliott Green scored on a one-yard run and Manny Martinez followed with the first of his four PAT kicks on the night. Green got the start at the running back position as Cam Phinizee got limited playing time.
The RHS offense struggled at times versus Priceville and the Golden Tigers were without their standout running back for most of the game. “Cam had been sick all week and we wanted to make sure he’s healthy heading into the playoffs,” Russellville head coach Dustin Goodwin explained. “Elliott came in and did what we asked him to do on very, very limited reps. We appreciate the effort he gave, and I thought he did a nice job.”
Russellville’s defense made a stop on the next possession with the help of a fourth down tackle by Daniel Aycock to set up the following scoring drive. The Golden Tigers made the score 14-6 on the first play of the second quarter when Green found the end zone again, this time on a two-yard touchdown run. The final drives of the first half for both teams ended with interceptions as Hubbard of RHS continued to show big-play ability by picking-off a Priceville pass.
Russellville got the ball to start the second half but was forced to punt. Three plays later, the Golden Tigers regained possession with the help of an interception by EJ King. Two carries by Phinizee followed and the second resulted in a three-yard touchdown to make the score 21-6 with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter.
The RHS lead grew to 28-6 later in the third when freshman quarterback Whit Goodwin scored on a 14-yard run. The Bulldogs got the final touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run, but the two-point try was pickedoff by Russellville’s King.
“I thought our defense played well outside of the first drive of the game,” Russellville head coach Dustin Goodwin said. “It would be nice to get over that hump, but they settled-in and I thought they played well. They got another turnover, which was huge, and I’m definitely proud of that half, and they are a big part of why the game wasn’t closer than it was.”
No. 10 in 5A, Russellville will finish the regular season with senior night at home versus 6A Athens on Nov. 1. The Golden Tigers earned second place in the region and will host Wenonah in the first round of the 5A playoffs scheduled for Nov. 8.
