Paul Wilson
Special to the Enquirer

HANCEVILLE – When Danville’s senior quarterback Justin Morgan scored a touchdown on a one-yard run – his 2nd of the evening – midway through the 4th quarter, it not only gave the Hawks a 24-13 lead but it also looked like it would give Danville a big region win.

Unfortunately, Hanceville had other plans as the Bulldogs scored twice in the final five minutes to win 28-24.

It did not take Hanceville long to cut into the Danville lead as Bulldog running back Torrey Green scored on a five-yard run and then ran in the two-point conversion to make the score 24-21 with 5:22 to play in the game.  The Hanceville drive covered 57 yards in just two plays.

Green set up his TD run with a 52-yard run down to the Hawk 5.  Green finished the night with 199 yards and three touchdowns.

Earlier in the game, Green scored on two first period runs of 42 and 35 yards to help Hanceville take a 13-10 lead at the half.

Danville was able to convert one third down on its next drive and actually converted another third-and-long, but a holding penalty, one of several called on the evening, nullified the gain and the Hawks were forced to punt.

Hanceville then started their game-winning drive from their own 22.  Bulldog quarterback Caleb Hurst was effective on the drive, going 4-for-5 passing for 62 yards with the winning score coming on a 12-yard pass to Dante Reese with just 27 seconds left in the game.  In addition to his TD reception, Reese also had catches of 12 and 31 yards on the drive.

The last reception gave the Bulldogs a 1st down at the Hawk 26.

Danville’s kicking game provided all its points in the opening half.  After Green’s first touchdown run had given Hanceville a 7-0 lead, Dallas McAbee took the ensuing kick 93 yards for a touchdown.  Brock Garrison’s extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 9:41 left in the first quarter.

Garrison would add a 32-yard field goal late in the 1st half.

Hawk running back Justin Hannah led Danville with 121 yards on 30 carries.  With the loss, Danville falls to 2-4 in the region and 3-5 overall.

The Hawks will travel to Marion County Friday night to play the Hamilton Aggies in the final region game of the year.  Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.