By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
CAPSHAW - This was vintage Hartselle football at its best.
With a dominating defense and a blue-collar offense, the Tigers showed East Limestone Friday night in a 49-13 victory that the Tigers aren’t ready to give up their spot atop the Class 5A, Region 8 pile just yet.
The win sets up a showdown between the Tigers and rival Russellville Friday at J.P. Cain Stadium - a game that could help decide the Class 5A, Region 8 championship.
Hartselle, ranked eighth in Class 5A in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, piled up more than 450 yards of total offense against the Indians with a balanced offense. The Tigers ran for more than 200 yards in the win by dominating the line of scrimmage.
Will Lang, who played only in spots last season as the Tigers’ backup, completed 14 of 15 pass attempts for 247 yards and three touchdowns over the previously unbeaten Indians.
Lang also ran for a pair of short touchdowns as Hartselle had little trouble with East Limestone, a team that was expected to challenge for the Class 5A, Region 8 championship this season.
Lang proved that even though he came into the game with just two career starts he is one of the top quarterbacks in north Alabama.
Hartselle scored 30 points in the first half to quickly put the game out of reach.
The Tigers opened the scoring with a 1-yard Lang touchdown that was set up by a Will Tiffin reception and a 13-yard pass to Mac Hendrix.
Two minutes later, the Tigers added a safety when East Limestone’s punter stepped out of the end zone on a high snap.
The Hartselle lead grew to 16-0 when Lang hit Hendix with a 13-yard touchdown pass - the first varsity touchdown for Hendrix - with 3:34 remaining in the first half.
Hartselle added two more scores in the first half on Lang’s second touchdown run of the night and a touchdown reception by Malcom Fossett.
The Tigers scored three more touchdowns in the second half to put the game out of reach.
Lang again teamed up with Fossett on a 20-yard pass late in the third quarter to give the Tigers a 30-6 advantage.
James Sieglock had a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and freshman Deacon Aldridge scored his first career touchdown on a 38-yard keeper.
East Limestone turned the ball over three times - twice on fumbles and once on a late interception by Chase Hall.
Hartselle turned the ball over just once.