Danville takes care of Hanceville
By By Paul Wilson, For the Hartselle Enquirer
HANCEVILLE - Three touchdowns by senior wide receiver Tyler Beck and an outstanding performance on defense in the second half led Danville to a 28-7 road victory over Hanceville Friday in the Class 3A, Region 7 opener for both teams.
After struggling in the first half, Danville turned into a different team in the second half, especially defensively.
For much of the first half, Hanceville, led by Diamond Simmons and Shelton Lewis, pounded the ball down the field. The Bulldogs ended the half with 13 first downs, 143 yards rushing and 161 yards of total offense while running 40 plays from scrimmage to just 18 for Danville.
Fortunately for the Hawks, Hanceville was unable to take full advantage of the situation as they scored just one touchdown.
Lewis scored on an 11-yard run early in the second quarter to cap an 11-play, 80-yard drive. The PAT was good giving Hanceville a 7-0 lead with 11:32 left in the half.
The Danville offense got on the board late in the half with Beck getting the first of his three scores on a 24-yard run around right end. Mario Cortez added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7.
Beck’s run was set up by Clint McAbee’s 39-yard punt return giving Danville the ball at the Hanceville 24. Beck scored on the next play.
The second half was all Danville with the defense leading the way.
The Hawks did not alllow a first down the entire half as Hanceville gained just one yard of offense while turning the ball over three times on interceptions by Beck, junior linebacker Cole Veazey and sophomore defensive back Trey Jones.
Danville scored three times in the second half - twice in the third quarter and once in the fourth.
Sophomore Caleb Hill hit Beck on an 18-yard touchdown pass to give the Hawks a 14-7 lead.
Beck added his final touchdown of the night on a 3-yard run to make the score 20-7 in favor of Danville with 1:18 left in the third quarter.
A 48-yard pass from Hill to Beck set up Danville’s last score of the evening as on the following play senior Levi George went in from two yards out.
The Hawks went for two and Hill hit Veazey in the left corner of the end zone to make the final score 28-7 in favor of Danville.
Individually for Danville, George had 108 yards rushing and a touchdown while Beck added 35 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries. Beck also caught five passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.
