By By Paul Wilson, For the Hartselle Enquirer
Paul Wilson
For the Hartselle Enquirer
DANVILLE - Danville’s offense, defense and special teams all played major roles last Friday night in the Hawks 51-20 victory over Hanceville in the Class 3A, Region 7 opener for both teams.
Danville dominated the opening period, allowing Hanceville only seven plays resulting in minus-7 yards total offense for the Bulldogs.
The Hawks offense used a balanced attack (51 yards rushing and 52 yards passing) to gain 103 yards on their way to a 10-0 first period lead.
The Danville defense tackled Hanceville running back Kristian Simmons in the end zone to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead with 4:46 left in the first period.
The defensive stand was set up by a 15-play, 53-yard drive by the Hawks to open the game. Even though the Danville offense eventually turned the ball over on downs at the Hanceville 7, it was an impressive drive that set the tone for the night.
After the free kick, the Hawks had a first-and-10 at the Bulldog 43.
Danville drove the ball down the field with junior quarterback Tyler Beck getting the touchdown on a 6-yard run on 2nd-and-goal.
The two-point attempt was good giving the Hawks a 10-0 lead with 2:26 left in the first.
Hanceville’s special teams put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard with 8:20 left in the half. Skylar Twitty fielded a Beck punt and ran 33 yards into the end zone for the score.
Danville scored on its next two possessions to extend its lead to 23-6.
Junior running back Levi George scored both touchdowns on runs of 16 and 5 yards each. He finished with night with 123 yards rushing on 16 carries.
The first touchdown capped a nine-play, 63-yard drive. Key plays in the drive included a 13-yard pass from Beck to Jesse Posey to convert a third-and-long. Beck also converted a third-and-short with a gain of four yards giving the Hawks a first down at the Hanceville 29. George scored two plays later.
George’s second touchdown was set up by a Posey interception and return of 31 yards to give the Hawks excellent field position at the Bulldog 29.
Hanceville kept the game close, scoring on a 16-yard pass from Malcom to Twitty with 21 seconds left in the half. The 2-point try failed and Danville took a 23-12 lead into halftime.
Danville blew the game open in the third, scoring twice to take a 37-12 lead.
The Danville offense drove 57 yards in 5 plays with the touchdown coming on a 3-yard pass from Beck to senior Schuyler Forman.
Hogan’s extra point was true and Danville led 30-12 with 8:29 left in the period.
Danville’s final touchdown of the period came on a 69-yard punt return by McAbee. Hogan kicked the PAT to make it 37-12 in favor of the Hawks with 6:14 remaining in the third. This marked the second week in a row that McAbee returned a punt for a touchdown.
George added a 38-yard tuchdown run to increase the lead to 44-12 early in the fourth.
The game ended with each team getting a final touchdown. Hanceville scored on a 1-yard run by Simmons. Malcom ran in the two-point try. Danville sophomore Thomas Russell got the final score of the evening racing 40 yards to the end zone.
Hogan converted his fifth PAT making the final score 51-20 in favor of the Hawks.
Danville will play at Good Hope Friday in a 7 p.m. matchup.