Deshler, MSHS top unbeaten region foes
Both Deshler and Muscle Shoals faced one of the toughest region foes on the schedule on Oct. 4 in previously unbeaten Central and Athens.
And in both cases, the team from Colbert County earned a big region win and handed the opponent its first loss of the 2024 season.
The Tigers held on to a late lead and managed to run out the clock for a 21-14 victory over the Wildcats, while the Trojans held the Golden Eagles at arm’s length for a 56-42 win in a shootout.
Deshler trailed Central 14-7 at the half, but the Tigers’ defense managed to hold the Wildcats scoreless in the second half.
With less than 6 minutes left in the third, the Tigers gained possession at their own 41-yard line after a Central punt.
A sustained drive saw Q Harden get Deshler to the 1-yard line on a good run, and Price Thornton carried the ball across the goal line to cap the possession. The point after by Tripp Brooks was good, tying the game at 14-14 with 1:03 left in the third quarter.
Tigers head coach Patrick Malone decided to dial up a surprise onside kick after the score, and the Deshler radio announce team marveled as Jovi Jackson jumped “12 feet in the air” to catch and recover the onside kick “like it was a rebound.”
Deshler took possession at the Central 44-yard line, and a few plays later on 3rd and 15 Garrett Reid stiff armed a defender to the ground while a wall of Tiger blockers plowed the road for him to score the go-ahead touchdown.
Deshler forced Central to punt on what would be the Wildcats’ last possession with 5:43 remaining, and the Tigers were able to move the ball down the field and run out the rest of the clock for the big Class 4A, Region 7 win.
“We had a great week of practice,” Malone told the radio crew after the game. “I’m so proud of the kids and the coaches. This is a great Central team. This is a team win, and I’m proud of the guys.”
Muscle Shoals led Athens 35-21 at the half. Kade Clemmons was 6-of-8 for 231 yards and four touchdowns, including three scores by Jaquess Greene and one by Ezra Fowler.
Tar Hampton also notched a 43-yard rushing touchdown before the break.
Greene extended the Trojans lead with a 5-yard run, but the Golden Eagles answered with a touchdown pass to make it 49-35 with 9:18 left to play.
Hampton would get the final touchdown of the game for Muscle Shoals about three minutes later, and the Trojans would hold on for the Class 6A, Region 7 victory.
Deshler (4-2, 3-1) has another big region contest at Brooks (4-2, 3-2) next week with big playoff implications.
In a nine-team region, every game counts, and the Tigers still have four to go.
Last year Deshler topped Brooks 56-28, but the Lions are doing well so far this season, with losses to Central and West Morgan, who currently leads Region 7 and is undefeated.
The Tigers play the Rebels the last week of the regular season. Deshler is 31-8 all-time against Brooks.
Muscle Shoals (5-1, 4-0) is tied for first in Region 7 with Hartselle, a surprise to no one who follows MSHS football.
The Trojans travel to take on Jasper (formerly Walker) on Oct. 11. The Vikings are 4-2, 1-2 with losses to Cullman and Athens, both of which Muscle Shoals has topped.
Muscle Shoals has yet to face Jasper since the name changed, but Walker has a 3-0 all-time advantage.
