Hawks take down Blue Devils
Falkville's James Johnson tackles Danville quarterback Caleb Hill. | Richard Hollingsworth (for more photos, log on to http://nikonrick.smugmug.com/)
Paul Wilson
Special to the Enquirer
The Danville Hawks ended their season in fine fashion defeating the Falkville Blue Devils by a score of 34-6 last Friday night at Smith-Owens Stadium.
Danville dominated the game as the Hawks outgained Falkville 320-55.
A strong running game gave Danville all the offense it would need as the Hawks rushed for 317 yards with 224 coming in the 1st half helping Danville to a 25-0 lead. Senior running back/receiver Riley Self got the scoring started for the Hawks on a 13-yard run. Cody Hudgins kicked the PAT to give Danville a 7-0 lead with 7:42 left in the opening period. Self’s run capped a 9 play 63 yard drive.
Trey Jones got the Hawks on the board late in the period on a 2-yard run. The PAT failed and Danville led 13-0 with just 13 seconds left in the 1st quarter. Jones’ TD run was set up by senior quarterback Caleb Hill converting a fourth-and-1two plays earlier. Hill carried three times for 31 yards on the drive.
Danville would score twice more in the 2nd quarter on runs of 43 (Self) and 9 yards (Hill). The PAT failed each time but the Hawks had a commanding 25-0 lead at the half. As impressive as the offense was, the defense was even more so, holding the Falkville offense to -11 yards rushing and minus 3 yards total offense in the 1st half.
The Hawks would score their final points in the 3rd quarter on a safety and an 8-yard run by Hill.
The safety occurred when a Falkville snap sailed out of the end zone on a fourth-and-3 deep in Blue Devil territory. Self returned the ensuing kick 35 yards to give Danville the ball at the Falkville 15.
Three plays later Hill scored. Hudgins kicked the extra point to give the Hawks a 34-0 lead with 48 seconds remaining in the third period.
Falkville scored the only touchdown in the 4th period as Aaron Estes raced 72 yards for the score.
The PAT failed making the score 34-6 in favor of Danville.
Despite giving up the long run, the Hawk defense stayed finished strong as Falkville never took a snap in Danville territory the entire night.
With the win, Danville finishes at 2-8 while Falkville ends its season at 1-9.
Basketball is just around the corner for the Hawks as Danville will open its varsity season Thursday Nov. 10 at Decatur Heritage.
