Turnovers costly in Deshler opener loss
Two red zone interceptions and a fumble deep in its own territory were the deciding factors in Deshler’s season-opening loss to longtime rival Russellville.
The Tigers fell to the Golden Tigers 35-21 despite having a 21-7 lead before halftime.
“Russellville is a good program and a good team,” Deshler head coach Patrick Malone said after the game. “This game was a good measuring stick for where we are at. We gave up a lot of big plays, and we have some stuff we need to clean up.”
Russellville scored on its first play from scrimmage on a run up the middle that went 76 yards.
Four minutes later Deshler ended a drive with a 7-yard touchdown run by Q Harden. Tripp Brooks kicked in the point after, and the game was tied at 7-7.
The drive survived two third downs and one 4th and 2.
The score would remain until a Tiger 74-yard drive was capped by a goal line run by Ayden Noyola, with Brooks’ PAT making it 14-7.
Russellville lost the football at the Deshler 33, picked up by Dayton Sanford, later in the quarter.
The turnover ended in a 5-yard touchdown run by Kendrick Gunn and a 21-7 advantage for the Tigers.
The Golden Tigers responded with a long touchdown pass to cut the lead to 21-14 by halftime.
Deshler seemed to be on the cusp of another score after a long kickoff return gave the Tigers excellent field position at the Russellville 26.
However, an interception kept the Tigers out of the end zone and kept the 21-14 scoreline at the break.
Russellville managed to tie the game at 21-21 on an 87-yard run midway through the third quarter.
On the Tigers’ ensuing possession, a lost fumble at the Deshler 20 turned into an 18-yard run and score for the Golden Tigers, who regained the lead at 28-21.
This score remained until late in the fourth quarter when the Tigers were once again knocking on the door.
Deshler was faced with a fourth and goal from the 5-yard line with three minutes remaining in the contest.
Another red zone interception kept the Tigers from tying the game, and Russellville added one more score before the end of regulation.
Deshler (0-1) will begin Class 4A, Region 7 play on the road against Hatton on Aug. 30.
The Hornets moved all the way up from 2A to 4A this year, and the two teams have never met before on the gridiron.
Hatton (0-0) went 7-4 and 7-3 the last two years against mostly 2A competition.
The Tigers will remain on the road against Danville on Sept. 6 before finally hosting Wilson for the 2024 home opener on Sept. 13.
