By Ashley Hargrove
HARTSELLE — No words were needed to tell the outcome of Athens' game against Hartselle in the second-round of the Class 5A playoffs Friday night.
The hurt on many of the players’ faces as tears flowed said it all.
The Tigers had just ended the Golden Eagles championship hopes with a 28-7 loss at J.P. Cain Stadium. It was the second Athens loss to Hartselle this season. The Golden Eagles fell to the Tigers 32-22 earlier in the year during week six.
"Hartselle did some things that gave us some problems early like they always do," Athens head coach Allen Creasy said. "You never know what to expect. Coach (Bob) Godsey does a great job preparing his team every time you play them and tonight was no exception. My hat’s off to them. They have a heck of a team."
Hartselle wasted no time getting on the board, scoring on their first possession of the game on a 20-yard run by Malcom Fossett. The Tigers found the end zone again after an interception of a Stephen Rivers pass. Hartselle quarterback Will Lang hit Will Tiffin with a short pass for the touchdown and 14-point lead.
After forcing the Golden Eagles to punt at the beginning of the second period, Hartselle got the ball on their own 32-yard line. Several plays later, Athens forced a fumble, taking over on the Tigers 45. Several plays later, Rivers hit Julius Jones with a 22-yard pass in the end zone for a touchdown..
Athens threatened to score several more times in the second half but that would be the only Golden Eagle score of the night.
"I'm very proud of our guys of how we came back and fought down 21 points," Creasy said. "We could have rolled it over at that point but we didn't. We came back and made a game of it, we just didn't make enough of a game of it."
Athens ends their season at 8-4.
