Bulldogs hold off scrappy Hawks

By Staff
Zonya Ponder, Enquirer Correspondent
"We came out with a 'W' tonight," said Priceville Bulldogs coach Donald Weeks after a close 21-19 win over Danville. "It has been a long week for everyone involved in the program."
The Bulldogs lost freshman player Gregory Roman Jr. this past week in an automobile accident. A moment of silence at the beginning of the game was observed and a presentation to Greg's parents was given by Coach Weeks before the start of the game.
Danville scored with 1:48 left in the game and attempted a two-point conversion to tie, but it was broken up by Priceville, who improved to 2-3. Danville fell to 0-5 with its second straight loss by three points or fewer.
Hawk running back Levi George led Danville on a drive where George scored on a 49-yard run and Cory Evans kicked the field goal to put Danville up 7-0. The Hawks also had a touchdown on a 33-yard pass from Tyler Beck to David Long.
But Priceville came right back on a 10-yard touchdown run from Aaron Sawyer and a 2-yard run from Eli Allen. Sawyer ran for a two-point conversion to make the score 15-13.
By the end of the first half the Hawks' Levi George had already rushed for 144 yards and scored a touchdown.
Starting the second half of the game the Hawks kicked to Will Hallbrooks, who advanced to the Priceville 33. Priceville pushed ahead and was able to carry the ball deep into Hawk territory when Logan Manthey completed a pass for a 38-yard touchdown to Kristian Barker. Priceville's extra point missed its mark as the Bulldogs moved in front 21-13.
Danville had a chance to cut into Priceville's lead in the third quarter, but Hallbrooks blocked a Hawks' attempted field goal.
Danville came back deep in the fourth quarter where Levi George scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to bring the score to 21-19. Priceville's defense stopped the two-point conversion attempt as the Hawks could not even the score and send it into overtime.
"We were so close to a win this week," said the Hawks' Corey Tyson after the hard fought game. "They just out played us tonight."
Priceville's Jeremy Hale rushed 193 yards on 16 carries and Danville's Levi George ended the game with 178 total rushing yards on 28 carries.
"Our (offensive) line had trouble but we came together and pulled it out," said Matt Maze of the Priceville Bulldogs. "They played hard and were ready for us."
"It was a great game till we fumbled the two-point conversion at the end," said Danville coach Joey Burch. "We get better each week but have got to get better to win."
Danville (0-5) plays Madison Academy at Smith-Owens Stadium and Priceville (2-3) plays DAR at Bulldog Stadium on Friday night.