By Staff
Jonathan Willis FCT Staff writer
RUSSELLVILLE - If Friday night's match-up between Russellville and Walker was supposed to be like a heavyweight fight, the Vikings must not have heard the opening bell.
The Golden Tigers capitalized off of two early fumbles and four overall to build a commanding lead before cruising to a 41-14 win over the ninth-ranked Vikings at Tiger Stadium Friday night in a battle for the Region 8 driver's seat. Russellville is now 6-1, 5-0 in region play.
Casey Morgan recovered a fumble on Walker's first offensive possession, setting up an eight play, 52 yard drive that gave Russellville an early 7-0 lead. The drive was capped off by a 24-yard touchdown pass from Jeremy Helms to Maurice McCulloch with 5:15 to go in the first quarter. Chris Swinney added the extra point.
The Golden Tigers quickly took advantage of another Viking miscue when Rodney Suggs recovered a fumble on Walker's first play from scrimmage. Freshman fullback Michael Abernathy broke several tackles and fought his way into the end zone from 19-yards out on Russellville's first play. Swinney's PAT made it 14-0 with 5:00 to go in the first quarter.
Walker could never get anything going offensively against the stingy Golden Tiger defense.
McCulloch added a two yard touchdown run with 2:49 left in the first half to up the score to 21-0. Swinney kicked a 34-yard field as the teams headed to the locker room, giving the Golden Tigers a commanding 24-0 half-time lead.
The second half began the same way that the first half ended: more Russellville scoring. On the third play from scrimmage, Abernathy raced down the right sideline for a 67 yard touchdown run that upped the lead to 31-0 just 1:07 into the second half.
Walker would cut the lead to 31-7 with 5:20 to go in the third quarter after recovering a mishandled Swinney punt from his own five yard line.
The Russellville offense stalled out on its next possession, but once again, a Viking fumble set the Golden Tigers up for another score. McCulloch tacked on another score with 3:12 left in the third quarter. Swinney's PAT made it 38-17.
Swinney closed out the Russellville scoring with a 41-yard field goal with 7:23 to go in the game. Walker would add a late touchdown against the Golden Tiger reserves to close the gap to 41-14 with 21 seconds remaining.
The Golden Tigers look to remain perfect in region play next week as they travel to face the Cullman Bearcats. Kick-off is set for 7 p.m.