Hawks come up short against New Hope
By Staff
Paul Wilson, Enquirer Correspondent
Following a 49-22 homecoming loss to Madison Academy, one had to wonder how the Danville Hawks football team would respond. To their credit, the Hawks came out and fought the New Hope Indians for four quarters. Unfortunately, it was not enough as New Hope escaped Smith-Owens Stadium with a 14-10 victory last Friday night and the Hawks fell to 0-7.
It was an especially tough loss for the Hawks' faithful as it included a Danville fumble at the New Hope 1-yard line as the Hawks were driving for the go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Danville scored on its opening drive as Hawk senior kicker Corey Evans booted a 29-yard field goal to give Danville a 3-0 lead. Sophomore running back Levi George carried the ball nine times for 45 yards on the drive. George would finish the night with 205 yards on 41 carries.
New Hope could not move the ball on its opening possession but a Danville fumble on the ensuing punt gave the Indians new life. New Hope would take advantage of the turnover, going 45 yards in seven plays to take a 6-3 lead. The Indians' touchdown came on a 33-yard pass from Austin Wilkinson to Josh Langford. Jeremy Whitaker missed the extra point.
New Hope struck again early in the second period on a 12-yard run by Sawyer Green. Green would also run in the two-point conversion to give the Indians a 14-3 lead with 10:13 left in the half.
The Danville defense set up the final score of the half. A 36-yard punt by Danville senior David Long pinned the Indians deep in their own territory. Three plays later Hawk defensive back Schuyler Forman intercepted Wilkinson's pass near midfield. Forman returned the pick 18 yards, giving Danville a first down at the Indian 33.
After a 14-yard George run, the Hawks' offense stalled. On fourth-and-13 from the New Hope 22, Danville quarterback Tyler Beck lofted a pass into the end zone and into the waiting arms of Forman. Evans added the extra point to cut the New Hope lead to 14-10 with 3:04 left in the second quarter.
Neither team would score in the second half but by no means were the last two periods dull. New Hope dominated the third period but had nothing to show for it as the Hawk defense forced a turnover on downs on one drive and penalties killed another.
Danville began the fourth quarter with the football at its own 8. Behind the running of Levi George, who rushed 10 times for 70 yards on the drive, the Hawks moved down to the New Hope 1. On first-and-goal George ran into the right side of the line. While he appeared to be down, the officials ruled that George had fumbled. New Hope recovered the ball to end the Hawk scoring threat.
New Hope would get one first down before punting from their own 15. Danville freshman Clint McAbee fielded the punt at the New Hope 45 and weaved his way down the left sideline for the apparent go-ahead touchdown. However, the Hawks were penalized for an illegal block, bringing the ball back to the New Hope 39.
Beck ran for 12 yards to the New Hope 27. On first down George gained 2 yards. On the next play George would run for 17 yards to the New Hope 8, but the play was wiped out by a holding call against the Hawks. Two more runs by George would give the Hawks a fourth-and-3 at the New Hope 20. Danville was unable to convert the fourth down and New Hope ran out the clock to get the victory.
Danville will travel to Cullman County tomorrow night to take on the region leading Good Hope Raiders. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
