Burnett leads Falkville to first-round victory over Collinsville

FALKVILLE — The Falkville Blue Devils opened the 2A state playoffs with a convincing 42-7 win over visiting Collinsville. The Blue Devils outgained the Panthers 391-95.

“It was awesome to get a first-round win and to be able to keep playing football,” Falkville head coach Seth Ward said.

Caden Burnett opened the scoring for Falkville with a 57-yard touchdown run and followed that with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Kohl Fitzgerald to put the Blue Devils up 14-0.

Collinsville cut the lead to 14-7 before the end of the first quarter with a 36-yard touchdown pass.

Falkville responded with three second-quarter touchdowns, a four-yard run by Lawson Tew, a 10-yard pass and a 40-yarder from Burnett to Isaiah Warnick. The Blue Devils went to the half leading 35-7.

Tew added an eight-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to make the final score 42-7.

Burnett finished 14-of-21 passing for 225 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He also led the team in rushing with 104 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

“Caden played well tonight thanks to the offensive line who had their best game of the season,” Ward added.

Warnick had five receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Hunter Franklin had four receptions for 75 yards, while Fitzgerald added four for 49 yards and a score. Tew added 56 yards rushing and two scores on 12 carries.

Falkville (7-4) will travel to No. 4 Aliceville, a 62-13 winner over West End-Walnut Grove, in the second round next week.

“We don’t know a lot about Aliceville. The have put up a lot of points this season and they’re big up front,” Ward said. “It’s the second round, so everyone is really good and we will have to improve on tonight’s effort if we want to keep playing football.”