Trojans top Falcons in Tennessee River Rivalry; Week 2 previews

After suffering a close Week 0 loss to Gadsden City, the Muscle Shoals Trojans bounced back with a 31-13 win over the Florence Falcons in this year’s installment of the Tennessee River Rivalry.

The game was close at halftime at 14-13, but the Trojans scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to secure the victory.

Florence got on the board first with two field goals of 46 and 35 yards in the opening quarter, but Muscle Shoals took the lead just before the end of the period on a 25-yard touchdown run by Jaquess Greene. Jorge Garcia made the point after, and MSHS led 7-6.

The drive covered 80 yards in seven plays and was aided by a Florence personal foul on fourth and 6 from the Falcons’ 40-yard line.

With three minutes to go in the first half Tari Hampton capped an eight play. 79-yard drive with a goal line touchdown run to put the Trojans up 14-6.

Florence capped a drive with a short touchdown run with 1:30 before intermission, but this would prove to be the last points the Falcons would score on the night.

This scoreline would remain until Keivay Foster made a pick six midway through the third quarter.

The Trojans extended their lead to 24-13 when Garcia hit a 33-yard field goal just one minute into the fourth quarter.

Another interception, this one by Donterrius Puryear, would give Muscle Shoals possession at its own 36-yard line.

Hampton capped the ensuing drive with a short touchdown run for the final score of the game.

“I knew I had to play better than last week,” Hampton told the Muscle Shoals radio crew after the game.

The win was number 150 for head coach Scott Basden at Muscle Shoals High. His record is 150-47 at MSHS and 219-76 overall in 25 years of being a head coach, 17 of which have been with the Trojans.

Muscle Shoals (1-1) will begin Class 6A, Region 7 play on the road against 0-2 Columbia on Sept. 6. The Trojans routed the Eagles 42-0 last year and are 10-0 all-time against that opponent.

Columbia is on a state worst 83-game losing streak.

Deshler

For the second year in a row, the Deshler Tigers have started the football season at 0-2. The Tigers fell to Hatton 28-21 in the Class 4A, Region 7 opener.

This makes each future region game that much more important as far as the playoffs are concerned.

After starting 0-2 in 2023, Deshler amassed an 8-4 record and second-round playoff appearance, so the season is far, far from over.

Head coach Patrick Malone told the Deshler radio crew after the game the Tigers were outcoached and outplayed, and the Deshler coaching staff would “get things fixed.”

Up next is a road game against 2-0 Danville, who is coming off a 34-14 win over region foe Wilson.

The Tigers defeated Danville 44-6 last year and have a 3-0 overall advantage.

Colbert County

The Indians improved to .500 on the season (1-1) with a 63-0 shellacking of Tanner.

Colbert County will now face a tough Class 3A, Region 7 opener at home against 2-0 Mars Hill, who is coming off wins over Madison Academy and Russellville.

Mars Hill has proven to be one of the strongest small schools in North Alabama over the past few years. The Panthers are 4-0 against Colbert County and won last year’s matchup 45-7.

Colbert Heights

After going 1-9 in 2023, the Wildcats are looking to right the ship this season.

It took just two weeks to outdo that record, as CHHS is 2-0 in 2024 after dropping Carbon Hill 31-8 last week.

The Wildcats will look to keep that momentum going at home against 0-2 Clements in the Class 3A, Region 7 opener.

Colbert Heights is 16-7 all-time against the Colts, but Clements won the matchup 50-37 last year.

A win here would be one more region victory than CHHS earned in 2023.

Sheffield

The Bulldogs got to rest last week after a Week 0 loss to Decatur Heritage.

Sheffield opens Class 3A, Region 7 play at Rogers (1-1). The two haven’t met on the gridiron since 2015, a 34-14 victory for the Pirates.

However, Sheffield holds the lead all-time at 15-11.

Cherokee

After a loss to county foe Colbert Heights in Week 0, the Indians rebounded with a close 12-10 victory over Woodville.

Cherokee fell one win short of the playoffs last year, so the Class 1A, Region 7 opener on the road against 1-0 Waterloo is an important first step on the road to the postseason.

Cherokee routed the Cougars 48-0 last season and holds a 14-6 advantage all-time.