By Staff
Matt Widener, Enquirer Correspondent
The Brewer Patriots’ first home game of the 2006 football season was against the powerhouse Russellville Golden Tigers. The stands were packed full as people came out to watch the number one team in Class 5A take on the Patriots.
The opening kickoff was returned 35 yards by the Golden Tigers before being brought down by Patriots’ Nathan Sharp. Brewer’s defense was able to force the Golden Tigers to a fourth down situation in which Russellville went for the conversion and completed a pass to keep the drive alive. With nine minutes to go in the first quarter, Russellville quarterback Cory Trapp ran the ball across the goal line for the Golden Tigers’ first touchdown of the game. The extra point attempt was good by Josh Montgomery.
The Brewer Patriots started the offensive drive from the 20-yard line after a kickoff in the end zone by Russellville. Lucas Wilson completed his first pass to Sharp for a 10-yard gain and a Patriot first down. There was a pass interference call against the Golden Tigers and an illegal receiver down field against Brewer, resulting in a replay of the down. Wilson then completed a 10-yard pass to Chris Humphries for a first down.
The Patriots were then charged with an illegal substitution backing them up to their own 35-yard line. Wide receiver Rodney Childs then caught a 10-yard pass for a first down, and the Golden Tigers were charged with a personal foul giving the Patriots the ball on the Russellville 40. Russellville’s defense held the Patriots and forced Brewer to punt.
With six minutes to go in the first quarter, the Golden Tigers took over on their own 20 yard line after a punt in the end zone by the Patriots’ Chris Humphries. Brewer’s defense forced the Golden Tigers to punt, and the Patriots regained possession on their own 35 yard line with four minutes to go in the first quarter. Brewer’s drive stalled and Humphries punted the ball 40 yards giving the Golden Tigers the ball back on their own 30 yard line. With two minutes to go in the first quarter, Trapp completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Kirby Nelson. Montgomery was good on the extra point giving the Golden Tigers a 14-0 lead.
With the quarter coming to an end, Tony Dickerson took over at quarterback for the Patriots. Russellville was charged with two personal fouls giving the Patriots the ball on the Russellville 35-yard line with 45 seconds remaining in the first quarter. With the second quarter underway, the Patriots faced fourth down on the Russellville 20-yard line. A field goal attempt by Ben Maxwell was no good.
On its next drive, Russellville was faced with a third-and-26 situation and Trapp completed a pass to Josh Harbin for a first down. Trapp completed a 10-yard pass to Mike Abernathy for a touchdown with seven minutes to go before halftime. The extra point attempt was good giving the Golden Tigers a 21-0 lead.
With five minutes to go in the second quarter, Wilson threw an interception and the Golden Tigers responded with a rushing touchdown moments later. The extra point was good giving Russellville a 28-0 lead.
With three minutes to go in the second quarter, Brewer’s Matt Loosier intercepted a pass. With the Patriots trying to capitalize on a turnover, Childs went down with an injury and would not return to the game.
With 25 seconds to go before halftime, Montgomery kicked a 25-yard field goal to give Russellville a 31-0 lead at halftime.
Starting the third quarter of play, Sharp returned the kick to the Patriots 40-yard line. The Patriots were forced to punt a few plays later giving the Golden Tigers the ball on their own 17-yard line. Humphries sped through the line to sack the quarterback, and gave the Golden Tigers a 10-yard loss on the play.
Russellville once again drove the ball down the field and capped an 80-yard scoring drive with a pass to Nelson. The extra point was good giving the Golden Tigers a 38-0 lead with six minutes to go in the third quarter. Brewer started their drive deep in their own territory and fumbled the football as Russellville recovered the fumble and returned it for a touchdown. The extra point was good giving the Golden Tigers a 45-0 lead at the end of the third quarter.
With nine minutes to go a long pass attempt by Dickerson to Chase Oden was intercepted by the Golden Tigers. Russellville took over in Brewer’s territory ending the possession with a field goal by Montgomery giving the Russellville Golden Tigers a 48-0 lead and final score of the game.
The Patriots fall to 0-2 on the season and will travel to play Muscle Shoals next Friday night.