After a September win over Talladega County Central, the Central Coosa Cougars started their football season 2-0.
It was the first such start for the school since 2007, and in only the second year under head football coach Shundell Russaw.
“I am so happy to be a part of this Coosa family,” Russaw said after the game. “I am looking for years to come. But I will be enjoying this moment.”
The 2023 season for Coosa was all about restoring the Cougar Pride around the school, while setting a foundation for football teams to come.
It started with building a new fieldhouse, and that momentum carried over into the start of the season. Coosa first defeated Verbena on the road 50-22 before taking down TCC, 38-10.
It took the Cougars to the last game of the season to win again, finishing 3-8, but both the start and the finish were equally as historic.
That record was the best in seven full seasons. It began because of the team’s two dominating wins.
Coosa earned a running clock against TCC, up 32-2. The team earned a running clock without even having to go up the usual 35 points, which was a much deserved change for the Coosa faithful in attendance.
“It felt so good,” Russaw said of the running clock. “The shoe is on the other foot for once. When the ref asked me about it, all I could do was smile. The kids have worked for this.”
With just a single win the season prior, there could have been heads hanging low and little belief that two straight wins were accomplishable.
But that couldn’t have been further from the case.
“2-0 — this feels great,” Russaw said. “The kids really believed.”
