Golden Tigers too much for Rebels

Russellville had too much offense and too much defense for the Butler Rebels to overcome Friday night.

The Golden Tigers used solid rushing, timely passing and a stingy defense to destroy Butler 56-0.

Russellville (3-0, 2-0), scored five of the first six times it had the ball, rolling to a 35-0 halftime lead.

The Golden Bears, led by the tandem rushing of Brent Calloway and Jyran Darby ,racked up 519 yards of total offense. Calloway finished with 97 yards and three touchdowns on nine carries, while Darby scored once and had 92 yards on nine carries.

Coach Doug Goodwin said his team started out slow, turning the ball over twice and roughing the punter in the first quarter, but after that they settled down and played what he described as an efficient game.

Goodwin said he was very pleased with the defense, which limited Butler to only four first downs and 71 yards of total offense.

"They played solid all night," Goodwin said. "Overall, I'm pleased with the effort."

Calloway got the scoring started with a 20-yard run in the first quarter. Jose Betancourt kicked the first of six extra points and Casey Bolton kicked two more.

Calloway and quarterback Joey Howe put the game away in the second quarter.

Calloway scored on a three-yard run and then caught a 26-yard pass from Howe for another score.

Howe, who finished with 143 yards passing, connecting on seven of 15 passes, hit Byron Graham for a 27 yard score and then found PJ Lindsey open for 20 yards and another touchdown.

Jake Ward and Xaier Kirkman scored on runs of eight and one yards in the third quarter, before Darby ended the scoring with a 20-yard run in the fourth quarter.

Russellville travels to Hartselle next week.