By Johnny Smith
For the News Courier
With a playoff spot in hand, Athens hosted 6A Hazel Green Friday night in a driving rain.
The offenses suffered in the first half, with Athens holding a slim 6-3 lead at the break. The Golden Eagles took control of the game in the second half, pulling away to win 34-3.
Athens started the scoring, taking the ball 55 yards for a touchdown, after the opening kickoff, with quarterback Stephen Rivers finding Riggs Bailey for a 12-yard score. After a missed PAT, Athens led 6-0. Hazel Green came back with an impressive drive of their own, starting from their own 20, getting to first and goal at the Athens 6. Athens held the Trojans to a field goal, and a 6-3 lead.
Hazel Green missed a golden opportunity to take a lead before halftime, when Athens muffed a punt deep in their own territory. But, Athens intercepted the Trojans at their own one, and ran out the half.
Athens got their offense untracked in the second half, rolling up four touchdowns. Chris Cain scored first in the second half on a 51-yard run, after Athens intercepted Hazel Green at their own 49. Athens intercepted another errant throw on the Trojans next drive, setting up a 32-yard, three-play drive, all behind the strong running of Jamie Romero.
Athens added a Jamaal Bess touchdown, and a Hunter Daws touchdown, to end the scoring. Athens faces Boaz on the road Friday in the first round of the playoffs.
Sports
Related Photos
-
News Courier/Kim Rynders
Discussion
Golden Eagles get wet win
- Sports
-
-
Armstrong says he's happy investigation over
The stress, the waiting, the whispers about whether he doped during his stellar cycling career, all of it ended when — after nearly two years — federal prosecutors closed an investigation of him last week without bringing any charges.
-
South Alabama topples Arkansas State 74-57
Mychal Ammons scored a career-high 25 points to lead South Alabama to a 74-57 win over Arkansas State Thursday night in Sun Belt Conference play.
-
Right at home
-
Sports Ledger Feb. 10, 2012
Sports Ledger is a daily list of upcoming sporting events scheduled throughout Limestone County.
-
Right at home
When East Limestone plays Lee in the Class 5A Area 15 Tournament tonight, the Indians face an uphill task against the No. 2 team in the state. Despite being up against a handful of future college basketball players, East has something Lee does not in Jordan Gandy.
-
Univ. of ND will use Fighting Sioux nickname
The University of North Dakota resumed using its contentious Fighting Sioux nickname Wednesday even though it triggered NCAA sanctions, leaving some fans weary of the seven-year fight over a moniker that critics believe is demeaning.
-
Looking forward...
Soccer season cannot get here fast enough for Ramon Jurado. The Athens junior lost his home during the deadly string of tornadoes that scarred Alabama last April. Like others effected by the storms, Jurado remembers every detail of that ill-fated spring day.
-
Green leads Alabama past Auburn 68-50
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Shorthanded Alabama still managed to make a little history against rival Auburn.
JaMychal Green scored 19 points, Trevor Releford added 15 and the Crimson Tide raced to a 68-50 win on Tuesday night.
-
Mayor calls New York City 'Big Blue Apple' for Giants' win
The team was introduced with thunderous applause from the lucky 250 fans who got tickets to a ceremony at City Hall Plaza, where the Giants were honored with symbolic keys to the city.
-
Charge against ex-Alabama CB Kirkpatrick dropped
Kirkpatrick was arrested on Jan. 17 after Palmetto, Fla., police stopped a car driven by another former Alabama player, Chris Rogers, for driving on the wrong side of the road.
- More Sports Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
