Colbert Heights quarterback torches Danville

Hawks’ quarterback Caleb Hill tries to break a Colbert Heights tackle. | Robyn Morgan, Special to the Enquirer

Paul Wilson
Special to the Enquirer

TUSCUMBIA – Cole Claunch threw for 250 yards and four touchdowns to lead Colbert Heights to a 38-6 victory over the Danville Hawks last Friday night in the season opener for both teams.

Claunch threw for three scores in the first half as the Wildcats took a 19-0 lead into the locker room. Colby Spann caught two of the passes for 6 and 3 yards respectively. Running back Bryson Smith raced 68 yards with the other.

Danville meanwhile, despite not getting into the end zone, had some success moving the football. The Hawks gained two first downs on their opening drive before a lost fumble at midfield gave the ball to Colbert Heights. Danville, trailing 6-0, then drove 55 yards in 9 plays only to turn the ball over on downs inside the Wildcat 10. Senior quarterback Caleb Hill had several big plays in the drive, rushing five times for 37 yards. He also completed an 11 yard pass to Slater Robinson to convert a third-and-6.

The second half got off to a horrible start for the Hawks as Spann took the kickoff and ran 75 yards for a Colbert Heights touchdown. Smith added the PAT and the Wildcats led 26-0 with 11:46 left in the third period.

Following a Danville punt, Colbert Heights drove 68 yards in seven plays for another score, this one coming on a 25- yard Claunch to Smith pass. The PAT failed but the Wildcats had extended their lead to 32-0 with 5:37 left in the third.

Colbert Heights’ final score of the night came through the air as well with Cody Holt throwing 10 yards to Luke Bailey. The kick failed and the Wildcats had a 38-0 lead with 2:43 left in the game.

Taking over on their own 20, the Danville offense drove 80 yards in six plays for their only points of the evening. The Hawks scored on a 15 yard pass from Justin Morgan to Dallas McAbee. The PAT failed.

Danville will take on Sheffield Friday in the region opener for both teams. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Sheffield.