Hawks pick up 1st win
By Staff
Paul Wilson, Enquirer Correspondent
HANCEVILLE – The two teams on the field at Ray Talley Stadium entered last Friday night with identical 0-8 records. But for one to say that they were equal based solely on their record would be like saying Coca-Cola Classic and Diet Double Cola are the same because they both have fizz. The Danville Hawks played like "the real thing" and came away from Hanceville with a 54-0 victory in their final Class 3A, Region 7 game of the season.
The Hawks, as the score would indicate, were dominant in all phases of the game. On offense, sophomore running back Levi George led the way with 236 yards rushing and four touchdowns despite just playing two and a half quarters. Turnovers forced by the Danville defense led to their first two scores of the night and Hanceville threatened to score only once in the entire game.
Danville scored on all six of its possessions in the first half. George ran for two scores in the first quarter, scoring on runs of 5 and 4 yards. Each of those scores was set up by Hanceville turnovers. Clint McAbee ended the first quarter scoring on a 43-yard run on a beautifully executed reverse. Hawk senior kicker Corey Evans added the PAT after each run and Danville led 21-0 after the opening period.
The second quarter was no different from the first with the Hawks scoring three more times to take a 41-0 lead into the locker room. Senior fullback Cody Brakeman scored on a 36-yard run, while George got his third touchdown of the half on a 7-yard run. Evans hit both extra points to give Danville a 35-0 lead with 4:55 left in the half.
Danville's final touchdown of the half came on a 37-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Tyler Beck to McAbee. The Hawk defense held Hanceville on fourth down to give the offense a 1st-and-10 with 30 seconds left in the half. Beck then threw arguably the best ball he has thrown all year to a wide-open McAbee. Evans' PAT was no good but Danville led 41-0 at the break.
Hanceville, in an attempt to gain some momentum, tried an onside kick to start the second half. Danville recovered and on its first play from scrimmage George ran 56 yards down the left sideline to put the Hawks up 47-0. Evans kicked the point after and with just 14 seconds gone in the third quarter, Danville led 48-0.
Hanceville then put together its best drive of the night, moving from its own 35 to the Danville 15 before turning the ball over on downs.
Danville's last score of the evening came on an 11-play 70-yard drive. Hawk freshman quarterback Evan Cleghorn threw a 13-yard pass to fellow freshman Thomas Russell for the score. The extra point was no good but with 9:28 left in the game Danville led 54-0.
The Hawks finished the evening with 421 yards rushing and 476 yards of total offense. Danville will close out the 2007 football season at home tonight against the Speake Bobcats. Game time is 7 p.m.
