Dallas McAbee runs back a kickoff against Cordova. | Robyn Morgan

Paul Wilson
Special to the Enquirer

In the movie “Any Given Sunday,” Al Pacino gives one of the great inspirational sports movie speeches of all time. While the family themed nature of this paper prevents me from printing his speech, the major point of it is that life, and football, is a game of inches.

Unfortunately, Al’s words proved true for the Danville Hawks as they drove to Cordova’s two-yard line before turning the ball over on downs in a 28-22 loss last Friday night in Cordova.

In a game that saw two lead changes and two ties, the Blue Devils of Cordova got on the board first, scoring on their opening possession on a four-yard Garrett Woods run to take a 7-0 lead. The 14-play drive took nine minutes and went 76 yards.

Danville wasted little time in answering as senior running back Dallas McAbee raced 69 yards on the Hawks first play from scrimmage and Cordova’s lead was cut to 7-6 late in the 1st quarter.

Cordova’s next possession stalled after a third-down penalty, and a bad snap sailed over the head of punter Jeffrey Wingo on fourth down, giving the Hawks the safety and an 8-7 lead.

Danville would stretch its lead to 15-7 on McAbee’s second touchdown of the first half. The 31-yard run and Noah Hogan’s successful extra point sent the Hawks to the locker room with an eight-point advantage.

McAbee ended the first half with 129 yards rushing and 2 scores.

The Cordova defense came out fired up in the 2nd half, forcing three consecutive three-and-outs while the Blue Devil offense would tie the game on its second possession with Woods getting the TD on a 16-yard run.  The try for two was good and the score was tied at 15.

Cordova would take the lead on its next possession driving 49 yards in six plays scoring on Kendarra Turner’s 40-yard run.  The PAT was good and the Blue Devils led 22-15 with just over eight minutes left in the game.

Danville tied the game on a 39-yard pass from Colton McCay to Slater Robinson. Hogan added the extra point. The drive covered 63 yards in five plays.

Cordova then drove for what proved to be the winning touchdown as Woods got his third touchdown on a 45-yard run. The point after failed, but the Blue Devils led 28-22.

Danville would then drive down to the Cordova two, but a fourth down pass failed and the Blue Devils hung on for the victory.

Danville will host Hamilton Friday night at 7 p.m. at Smith-Owens Stadium.