By Staff
Joe Holmes, Enquirer Correspondent
The Falkville Blue Devils upended Priceville Friday night, ending a three-game winning streak by the Bulldogs and forcing Priceville into a must-win situation at Cordova and Cleveland to keep the Bulldogs' playoff hopes alive.
Kevin Russell put the visitors on the board with an 8-yard touchdown run that capped an 80-yard opening drive.
The 7-0 lead was short-lived as Priceville responded with an impressive drive behind the running of Trevor Maxwell, Eli Allen and Hunter Teague. Teague scored on a 3-yard quarterback-keeper on a second-and-goal call with just 57 seconds left in the first quarter. Brad Helton's extra point tied the game at 7-7.
Falkville caught fire in the second quarter, scoring on a 14-yard pass from Jonathan McNatt to Cody Simpson at the 7:45 mark. Russell followed with a 73-yard sprint with 1:20 left in the second quarter to run the Falkville lead to 21-7.
Looking for anything to swing the momentum back in its favor, Priceville moved the ball deep into Falkville territory but found itself with only three seconds left on the clock. Teague rolled out behind the block of Jeremy Holloway and launched a Hail Mary pass that wound up in the hands of Allen in the endzone. Helton booted the extra point with zeroes on the clock to draw the Bulldogs within seven, 21-14.
But momentum wouldn't stay on the Bulldogs' side for long. McNatt connected with Jeremy Stiles from 25 yards out for the Blue Devils' final score and a 28-14 lead with 10:26 left in the fourth. Priceville mounted two scoring threats in the final stanza, but each was thwarted by a turnover.
The Blue Devils picked up 136 yards passing and 197 rushing for a total of 333 offensive yards on the evening. Priceville countered that effort with 87 passing and 147 on the ground for a total of 234.
The loss dropped Priceville to 3-4 on the year, 2-3 in Class 2A Region 7 play. To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Bulldogs must win on the road at No. 8 Cordova (6-1, 5-0) Friday night.