Tigers get Region 8 title with win

By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
The Hartselle Tigers’ business-like atmosphere lasted a little more than 24 minutes Friday.
Using a three-touchdown performance from running back Malcom Fossett, the Tigers sealed up the Class 5A, Region 8 championship with a 48-7 victory over Lee to cap the school’s homecoming week celebration.
Hartselle improved to 6-0 in the region. The Tigers are also 8-0 overall and have now won 20 of their last 21 games dating back to the start of last season.
Hartselle holds a one-game advantage over both Russellville and Athens heading into the Tigers’ final region game of the season Friday at Muscle Shoals.
But with wins over both teams, Hartselle has already locked up the top-seed from the region.
Fossett, who finished with 148 yards on the ground with 16 carries, scored twice in the first quarter to quickly give Hartselle the early lead.
He scored on runs of 30 and four yards to give the Tigers an early 14-0 lead.
Hartselle scored three times in the second quarter to put the game out of reach. The Tigers used reserves for much of the second half.
Fossett’s third touchdown of the night - a 29-yard blast through the middle of the Lee defense - was surrounded by a 10-yard touchdown pass from Will Lang to Payton Sittason and a 4-yard Lang keeper to give the Tigers a 35-0 lead.
Hartselle added two more scores in the fourth quarter with reserves.
Deacon Aldridge threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Jeston Thompson to make it 41-0.
The Tigers capped the scoring with a 70-yard run by Blake Slayton.
Hartselle’s defense picked up three interceptions in the win. Jake Wallace, Chase Hall and Kameron Wallace had one interception each for the Tigers.