Godsey gets milestone win as Tigers beat Athens
By By Todd Thompson, Hartselle Enquirer
Bob Godsey knew that some doubted whether Hartselle could beat Athens a second time this season.
History wasn’t on the Tigers’ side, either.
Hartselle had lost twice in the last four years to teams the Tigers had beaten earlier in the season - Russellville last season and Athens in 2006. But the Tigers ended that streak by scoring three times in the first quarter on the way to an easy 28-7 victory over Athens at J. P. Cain Stadium in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs Friday.
The win sends the Tigers - now 10-2 overall - to a quarterfinals matchup with McAdory Friday night in McCalla.
The win - Hartselle’s fourth playoff win in the past two seasons - was Godsey’s 100th career victory.
Malcom Fossett scored three touchdowns to lead the Tigers’ offense. He finished with 142 yards on the ground with 33 carries.
But it was Hartselle’s defense that stole the show.
Hartselle scored on its first three possessions to quickly grab a 21-0 margin over the Golden Eagles.
Fossett gave the Tigers a 7-0 advantage when he broke free on a 20-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter.
The five-play drive was set up by a Will Lang-to-Andrew Hampton reception.
Hartselle added to the lead midway through the quarter when Isaiah Fowler picked off an Athens pass to set up a 3-yard touchdown pass from Lang to Will Tiffin.
Hartselle’s defense kept Rivers in check in the quarter. After a sack by the Tigers’ Casey Goodwin and an incomplete pass, Fossett blew through the Athens defense for a 22-yard touchdown run and a 21-0 advantage.
Athens took advantage of a Hartselle fumble and crossed midfield for the first time in the game midway through the second quarter.
Rivers hit Julius Jones with a 22-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone to help the Golden Eagles trim the margin to 21-7.
Jones used a four-inch size advantage to go up over Hartselle defensive back Jake Wallace for the touchdown.
But Wallace limited Jones’ looks in the second half.
Wallace, in his first season of varsity football, limited Jones’ looks with solid coverage, especially in the second half when he came up with some big deflections.
Athens had a chance to add to the lead late in the first half, but Jackson Reeves picked off Rivers in the end zone to end the threat.
Athens missed a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter when the kick went wide right.
Fossett capped the scoring with a 3-yard run in the second half.
Hartselle’s Steven Crowe recovered a fumble in the third quarter and Jake Wallace added an interception to limit the Golden Eagles to just seven points.
Athens struggled early and didn’t cross midfield until midway through the second quarter. But by that time, the Tigers were already well on their way to the win.
