2 weeks Ago By By Caleb Suggs Sports Writer
MUSCLE SHOALS — Hartselle had won three straight games at Muscle Shoals. A fourth consecutive win, however, was always going to be a challenge. Hartselle fell 29-28 Friday to Muscle Shoals, losing the Class 6A, Region 7 championship in the process.
And for the Tigers, the game was about what could have been. A missed field goal, clock mismanagement and a botched onside kick, along with allowing a kickoff-return touchdown that was fumbled at the start, were all missed opportunities that plagued Hartselle. "It was there for us," Hartselle head coach Bert Newton said.
"The onside kick was there and we didn't execute, we missed a field goal and then we jumped offsides when we were trying to get the ball back. We just have to be better." Hartselle (7-2, 5-1 6A, Region 7) led 7-0 on a 4-yard run from Carter Lee, but then fell behind 17-7.
The Tigers cut the lead to 17-14 on a 2-yard rush from Noah Lee and had the chance to tie the game at halftime when misfortune struck. With eight seconds left in the half, Hartselle attempted a pass to the end zone. The Tigers felt there was still time on the clock, but the clock read differently.
"I thought we had three seconds left, but they said time ran out," Newton said. "I guess that's on me." In the second half, it was back and forth when Noah Lee connecting with Chandler Keel for a 10-yard score and rushing for a 1-yard score, while Muscle Shoals (6-2, 5-1) added two touchdowns of its own.
Hartselle had the chance to take the lead with six minutes to go but missed a 32-yard field goal. Muscle Shoals ran out the remainder of the clock. Noah Lee finished 11-for-20 passing for 178 yards and three touchdowns, while Markus Tapscott had five catches for 95 yards.
Hartselle finishes the regular season next week at Mortimer Jordan. The Tigers also finish second in Region 7, which means a first-round home playoff game, but could also mean a second-round trip to No. 3 Oxford.
"We're going to get back to work on Sunday and get rolling again," Newton said. "We're going to outwork everybody, that's just what we do at Hartselle.".
