ATHENS – The Golden Eagles’ defense rose to the occasion and stopped a very physical and talented Jess Lanier (3-2,2-1) Friday night. Athens coach Allen Creasy said the Golden Eagles (5-0,3-0) defense used a bend, but not break philosophy to keep Jess Lanier out of the endzone.

Athens will need the same type effort and then some when the Class 5A No. 2 ranked Golden Eagles travel to No. 1 ranked Russellville (5-0,3-0) Friday night.

“I can’t remember a time in this area where the No. 1 and No. 2 team in the state squared off,” Creasy said. “This is as big of football game as you get.”

Creasy knows the importance of this week’s Class 5A, Region 8 match up and he doesn’t believe there will be any problems keeping the Golden Eagles’ players focused this week.

“This is the game everyone has had their eyes on for a while,” Creasy said. “They’re a really talented football team with a lot of weapons.”

Creasy said for Athens to be successful Friday night, the Golden Eagles must be able to stop the Golden Tigers talented rushing attack led by standout Michael Abernathy.

“He’s a real strong runner with explosive speed,” Creasy said. “We have to do a good job of wrapping up and making tackles. If we don’t, he’s the type of player who keeps his feet moving and breaks tackles.

“We can’t let him get into the secondary. That’s where you don’t want him to be.”

Led by Karlos Jones and Robert Brown, the Golden Eagles defensive front and linebackers were the centerpiece of a stingy Athens defense against Jess Lanier.



Pouncing Tigers

Ardmore running back Landon Curtis still remembers last season’s fifth game vividly. The Tigers lost to Limestone County rival West Limestone 28-0 on homecoming and then proceeded to lose the final five games en route to an 0-10 finish.

“That loss really stung last year,” he said. “We all remember that one well. There was no way we were going to let ourselves be in that position again.”

This year has been a completely different story for Ardmore (4-1,2-1). The Tigers went to West Limestone Friday night and beat the Wildcats 32-6 on homecoming and are now sitting in good position to make a run at the Class 4A playoffs.

“This is exactly where we want to be,” Ardmore running back Derrick Green said. “Now it’s time for us to turn our focus to getting in the playoffs.”

Even though Ardmore has had a good first half, coach Tracy Malone knows there is still a lot of football to be played.

“We’re starting a very important stretch this week with a big game,” he said. “We have to stay focused and continue to work. It’s huge for our players that we have confidence and momentum going into that stretch.”

Ardmore hosts Madison County Friday night for the Tigers’ homecoming.



Ready to strike

The Athens-Russellville game isn’t the only big showdown in northwest Alabama Friday night. Class 2A, No. 6 ranked Tanner travels to No. 5 ranked Addison – 2005 Class 1A state champions – in a game that’s expected to decide the Region 8 championship.

Tanner beat Class 4A, No. 10 ranked East Limestone Thursday night.

“It doesn’t get any easier now,” Tanner coach LaRon White said. “We played good (at East Limestone), but we’re going to need the same type effort Friday night at Addison. They are a real good team that plays hard-nosed, physical football.

“They’re going to challenge us.”

East Limestone hosts No. 4 ranked North Jackson Friday night in a game that’s expected to decide the Class 4A, Region 7 championship.