The Russellville Golden Tigers were one of 35 teams that participated in the 2024 Shoals Shootout 7-on-7 football competition hosted by the University of North Alabama Lions July 12 at the Florence Sportsplex.

Russellville High School varsity players and coaches worked through the extremely hot temperatures, and the Golden Tigers advanced to the quarterfinals of the tournament. Russellville went 2-1 in bracket play with wins over Richland High School of Lynnville, Tenn., and Haleyville, before falling to the Page High School team from Franklin, Tenn. Earlier in the day, Russellville competed in pool play against Austin, Brewer, Edgewood Academy and Lincoln County, Tenn.

“I definitely was pleased with the change throughout the day, and we had growth,” Russellville head coach Dustin Goodwin said. “We started slow and dropped a couple of games that we thought we should have won. As the day went on, we got into bracket play, competed well and advanced to the third round.”

“I’m really proud of the way they fought, but definitely saw some things that we’ve got to work on,” Goodwin continued. “We ran out of gas late, so we know that’s something that we need to focus on. That’s intensity in everything that we do, so that when we are tired, we find a way to fight through.”

The Golden Tigers will open the 2024 varsity regular season with a home game on August 23 versus the Deshler Tigers.