By Staff
Paul Wilson, Enquirer Correspondent
Fireworks and sirens in Danville usually signal a 4th of July celebration out of control.
However, this past Friday the two combined to celebrate Danville touchdowns and a homecoming victory as the Hawks (5-0 region, 7-0 overall) defeated the Carbon Hill Bulldogs (0-5, 0-7) 56-20. The win was the first in a homecoming game for the Hawks since 1998.
It did not take Danville long to get on the board as the Hawks took the opening kickoff and drove 66 yards in four plays with Craig Poole running basically untouched up the middle for 54 yards and a Danville touchdown. Danville led 6-0.
The next three possessions saw the teams trade punts giving Danville the ball at the Carbon Hill 49. Hawk junior tailback Jeremy Orr carried the ball seven times for 35 yards on the drive. His last carry went for three yards and gave Danville a 12-0 lead. Orr would lead all rushers with
122 yards on 16 attempts. The two-point try failed but the Hawks were in control early in the second quarter.
Danville's defense and a really improved passing game dominated the rest of the first half.
Carbon Hill could get only one first down the entire first half as the Hawk defense, led by Logan Asherbranner, Lee Waddell and Brian Sullivan, forced two turnovers in the final two minutes.
Danville's passing game took advantage of the Bulldog mistakes as senior QB Chase Suggs, who was six-of-eight for 138 yards and three touchdowns, hit Thomas Garner on touchdown passes of 16 and 36 yards to give Danville a 24-0 lead going into halftime.
The third quarter was more of the same as the Hawks put three touchdowns on the board before Carbon Hill recorded a first down.
The brothers Orr were responsible for each Danville score with Jeremy scoring on runs of 24 and 20 yards. Freshman Dante Orr ended Danville's third quarter onslaught as he raced 42 yards to put the Hawks up 43-0 with 5:04 left in the period.
Carbon Hill scored on its next two possessions as Danville substituted heavily on defense and offense.
Following the Bulldogs second TD, Poole brought the Danville fans to their feet with a spectacular 85-yard kick return.
Corey Evans kicked the PAT to give Danville a 50-12 lead with 9:40 left in the game.
With the win, Danville remains tied for the lead in Class 3A, Region 7.
The region championship could be decided Friday night as the Winfield Pirates come to Smith-Owens Stadium.
Both teams will enter the contest 5-0 in the region and 7-0 overall.