Paul Wilson
Special to the Enquirer

Danville’s playoff hopes took a severe hit in last Friday’s 26-14 loss to Cordova.

The Hawks, while still mathematically alive for the playoffs, must win their final two region games (at Hanceville and at Hamilton) in order to have a chance for postseason play.

Danville scored first to take a 7-0 lead midway through the first period. The Hawk touchdown came on a 70-yard pass from Justin Morgan to Dallas McAbee. Brock Garrison kicked the PAT.

Cordova would score twice in the final six minutes of the second quarter to take a 12-7 lead at the half. Andrew Minor scored on an 18-yard run and Chase Trotter hit Klint Rowe for a 24-yard touchdown pass.

Neither team scored in the third quarter. Cordova drove to the Danville 24 on its opening drive of the half but a 10-yard loss on 3rd-and-9 forced the Blue Devils to punt. Cordova would get the ball twice more, both times in Danville territory, but each drive ended with a lost fumble.

Cordova extended its lead to 19-7 with 6:50 left in the game on a 16-yard Charles Woods run. Woods set up his touchdown with a 25-yard run the previous play.

Danville took the ensuing kick and drove 51 yards in five plays with the Hawk touchdown coming on a 30-yard pass from Morgan to Travis Turrentine. Garrison added the PAT to cut the Blue Devil lead to 19-14 with 5:06 left in the contest. The TD pass came on a 3rd-and-15 play.

The Danville defense forced a three-and-out on Cordova’s next possession. The Hawks took the ball over at their own 30. On 1st down, Morgan’s pass was picked off by Cordova’s Dustin Sanders. Sanders then raced down the left sideline for a 55-yard touchdown. Stephen Kilpatrick kicked the PAT to give the Blue Devils a 26-14 lead with 3:20 remaining in the final period.

The loss on senior night gives Danville a 3-4 overall and a 2-3 record in region play. Cordova is now 1-6 on the year and 1-4 in the region. Danville will play Friday night at Hanceville. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.