By Staff
Jason Houston FCT Managing Editor
RUSSELLVILLE - What looked like a quick knockout for the Russellville Golden Tigers turned into a bout that went a few more rounds than expected.
In front of a large homecoming crowd, Russellville pulled away on the strength of five touchdown passes from junior quarterback Jeremy Helms to defeat the Muscle Shoals Trojans 42-17 Friday night.
Russellville coach Perry Swindall told his team in the post-game huddle that they did not need to be satisfied with the effort.
The Golden Tigers came roaring out the gate by forcing a quick turnover. Tone Suggs intercepted a third-down pass on the Trojans first possession, and on first down from the Trojans 13-yard line, Helms found a wide-open Nick Woods for a quick 7-0 lead.
After the ensuing kickoff, the Golden Tigers forced a punt and scored on an eight-play, 69-yard drive that took just 1:25 off the clock. Helms this time found Lafayette Tiggs for eight yards and a touchdown. Chris Swinney's extra point made the score 14-0 Russellville.
The Trojans then mounted a 13-play, 80-yard scoring drive that ate up around eight minutes of the game clock. The Trojans scored from two yards out on a run by Avery Jackson.
Then Muscle Shoals coach Curley Hallman reached into his bag of tricks and called an onside kick, which the Trojans recovered. A drive to the Russellville 21-yard line ended with an unsuccessful fake field goal.
After the fake field goal, Russellville marched 86 yards in 10 plays, scoring on a 21-yard pass from Helms to Michael Abernathy.
The Trojans then drove to the Russellville 20-yard line, where Ross Anderson kicked a 37-yard field goal to make the score 21-10 at the half.
The Golden Tigers struggled with penalties the entire game, being flagged six times for 45 yards in the first half.
The Golden Tigers opened the second half with a long drive that stalled at the Muscle Shoals 28-yard line. After holding Russellville on fourth down, Jackson broke free for a 66-yard touchdown run to pull Muscle Shoals to within four points at 21-17.
Late in the third quarter, Russellville scored on a 5-yard pass from Helms to Jerrell Nesmith. After forcing a three-and-out by the Trojans, the Golden Tigers scored again midway through the final period on a 6-yard scoring strike from Helms to Rico Hollingsworth. Swinney's PAT made the score 35-17.
Corey Trapp added a 4-yard scoring run with a minute left in the game to provide the final margin.
Swindall said he was pleased with the win, but a bit frustrated by his team's progress so far.
Swindall said he was pleased with Helms' play. Helms faced pressure most of the night from the Trojans defense.
Next week, Russellville faces a huge region showdown with the Walker Vikings.