By Staff
Chris Megginson
Shelby County Reporter
BIRMINGHAM – No. 8 Russellville stuffed the run Friday night against No. 1 Briarwood, but the Lions' passing game was more than enough as they advanced to the state quarterfinals with a 34-14 win.
Led by senior quarterback Barrett Trotter, Briarwood scored 27 unanswered points, including a 36-yard touchdown to Matthew Gordon in the first quarter and a 63-yard bomb to Gordon in the second quarter. The Lions opened the second and third quarters with scoring drives, including a 5-yard scoring run by Jonathan Sillers, who was held to only 31 yards for the game, and a 55-yard Trotter pass to William Hoke.
Down 27-0 in the third quarter, Russellville came alive with a five-play, 79-yard drive. Senior quarterback Cory Trapp found Caleb Mitchell for a 27 yard touchdown with 4:45 remaining. Josh Montgomery kicked the extra point, which broke former Russellville kicker Elliot Bishop's school record of 159 career PATs.
But the Golden Tigers' momentum stalled thanks to their next four drives, which resulted in a total of negative-11 yards, three punts and an interception.
Briarwood added its final touchdown with 6:43 left in the fourth quarter as Trotter connected with Hoke again for a 19-yard score to go ahead 34-7.
Senior running back Mike Abernathy, who had 91 yards on 27 carries, found the end zone on the ensuing drive with a 13-yard scoring run that capped a nine-play, 85-yard drive with 3:46 remaining in the game. Montgomery's PAT made it 34-14.
Briarwood ice the game when Trapp's desperation pass was picked off in the closing minutes of the game.
Trapp finished 18-of-35 for 203 yards and two interceptions. Nate McAlister had a season-high eight catches for 99 yards.
Russellville was only penalized one time for 5 yards, while the Lions were flagged eight times for 75 yards. But the Golden Tigers only had one takeway, while turning over the ball three times.
Russellville also had more first downs (20) than Briarwood (10), and possessed the ball nearly 10 minutes longer. The Golden Tigers finished with 203 yards of total offense, while the Lions accumulated 249 yards.
Briarwood (12-0) will host J.O. Johnson in the third round, while Russellville finishes the season 11-2.