Paul Wilson
Special to the Enquirer

Nick Bell kicked a 36-yard field goal with 10 seconds to play to give Priceville a 17-15 win over the Danville Hawks last Friday night at Smith-Owens Stadium.

Bell had a part in each of the Bulldogs three scores. On the second offensive play of the game, Bell (4 receptions, 109 yards) caught a pass from freshman QB Kaleb Barker and raced 45 yards for a Priceville touchdown. He then added the PAT and with 10:56 left in the first period, the Bulldogs led the Hawks 7-0.

The Danville defense set up the first score of the night for the Hawks. After failing to get a first down on its opening possession, Danville punted the ball to the Bulldogs.

On first and 10 from the Priceville 43, Barker had the ball jarred from him and Hawk DL Aaron “Double A” Anderson fell on the football to give the Hawks excellent field position

at the Bulldog 43. Danville would drive 43 yards in 9 plays, scoring on a 3-yard Justin Hannah (25 carries, 105 yards) run. The Hawks lined up to kick the PAT but holder Justin Morgan ran for the two-point conversion and Danville led 8-7 midway through the first quarter. Key plays in the drive included an 11-yard pass from Morgan to Slater Robinson and a 13-yard run by Hannah giving the Hawks a 1st and goal at the Priceville 3.

The Bulldogs would take the lead with 6:10 left in the half when Barker hit Ben Patterson for an 18-yard touchdown. Bell added the PAT to give Priceville a 14-8 lead. Neither team would threaten the rest of the half.

The teams traded punts and turnovers to open the 3rd quarter. Following a Priceville fumble, Danville drove 57 yards in 9 plays to take a 15-14 lead with 1:10 remaining in the period. The Hawk touchdown came on a 4-yard run by Morgan. Other than the TD, the biggest play in the drive was a 33-yard pass from Morgan to Dallas McAbee on 3rd and 20 from the Bulldog 43. Morgan would score two plays later.

Priceville would take the kick and drive into Hawk territory before turning the ball over when McAbee picked off a Barker pass at the Danville 20. The teams then traded punts with the Hawks getting the football inside their own 10. Danville managed to drive the ball across midfield before punting the ball to the Bulldogs. The Hawk defense came up with another big play as they recovered a Barker fumble at the Priceville 8. Danville was unable to capitalize as the offense turned it over on the next play. Priceville then drove from its 15 to the Danville 19, setting up Bell’s winning kick. The Bulldogs converted two third down plays on the drive, but the biggest play was a 46 yard pass from Barker to Bell to give Priceville a first down at the Hawk 23.

Danville drops to 2-3 with the loss while Priceville improves to 2-3. Each team will be back in region play tomorrow night. Danville celebrate homecoming against Good Hope, while Priceville will host East Lawrence. Kickoff for each game is 7 p.m.