By Staff
Paul Wilson, Enquirer Correspondent
Priceville quarterback Will Stevens ran and passed the Bulldogs to a 31-7 victory over the Danville Hawks Friday night at Smith-Owens Stadium. Stevens accounted for all the Priceville points in the first half as he threw three touchdown passes while running for one more as the Bulldogs scored on four consecutive possessions to take a 24-0 lead at the half.
Stevens hit tight end Rand Hutchison for Priceville’s first touchdown as the two connected on a 47-yard pass. The extra point failed but with 5:17 left in the opening period, Priceville led 6-0. Priceville’s touchdown drive covered 49 yards in three plays.
After a Danville turnover, Priceville went 21 yards in six plays with Stevens getting the touchdown on a 7-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 12-0 lead. Priceville went for two but the conversion failed, leaving the score 12-0 in favor of the Bulldogs. The key play in the drive was a 14-yard run by Jayson Hamilton that gave Priceville a first-and-goal at the Hawk 10.
Priceville would score twice more in the second quarter as Stevens tossed touchdown passes of 18 and 6 yards to Aaron Sawyer and Trevor Maxwell. The pass to Maxwell came with just 34 seconds left in the half. Priceville would fail to make either extra point attempt but the Bulldogs would lead 24-0 at the break.
Priceville’s final touchdown of the evening came in the third quarter as Hamilton broke several tackles on his way to a 40-yard touchdown run. Lance Hughes kicked the extra point to give Priceville a 31-0 lead with 4:08 left in the quarter.
Taking over at its own 17, the Danville offense showed signs of life as the Hawks drove into Priceville territory before back-to-back penalties forced the Hawks to punt.
Priceville went three-and-out giving the Hawks the football at the Danville 39 after a Bulldog punt traveled only 19 yards. Danville then drove to the Priceville 11 but a Hawk fumble ended the scoring threat.
After the Hawk defense forced another three-and-out, the Danville offense got its only touchdown of the evening, going 47 yards in seven plays. Freshman running back Levi George carried four times for 28 yards on the drive. George got the touchdown on a 1-yard run with 58 seconds left in the game. George’s run was set up by an 11-yard Craig Orr run on third-and-3. Tyler Beck kicked the extra point to make the final score 31-7 in favor of Priceville.
With the loss, the Hawks fall to 0-5. Danville will be back in region play next week as the Hawks travel to Madison Academy tomorrow night. Priceville (3-2) will also be on the road, visiting DAR.
Kickoff for both games is set for 7 p.m.