Falkville’s Landon Powers runs the ball in the Blue Devils’ 41-15 victory over rival Danville. Special to the Enquirer/April Shaneyfelt
Rivalry games are a big deal for small school football teams in Alabama, and the Danville-Falkville rivalry is one that most people in southern Morgan County pay close attention to during the fall.
Going into their game last Friday, the two schools have met 47 times since 1976, with Danville leading the series 28-19, including last season’s 27-7 win.
The Blue Devils used the memory of last season’s loss to power their 41-15 win over the Hawks.
Falkville jumped out in front in the first quarter when Hunter Franklin hauled in a 28-yard pass from Caden Burnett for a 6-0 lead.
Burnett’s arm again led the Blue Devils to the endzone, connecting with Isaiah Warnick for a 25-yard touchdown.
Danville cut the lead to 12-7 right before halftime when Ben Ellenburg hit Gage Taylor with an 18-yard touchdown pass.
The third quarter belonged to Burnett and Falkville. He passed for two more touchdowns, a six-yard pass to Kole Fitzgerald and a 30-yard pass to Warnick. He also scored on a 32-yard run to help extend the lead to 35-7 heading into the fourth quarter.
Landon Powers capped the scoring for the Blue Devils with a six-yard run early in the fourth quarter, giving Falkville a 41-7 lead.
The Hawks scored a touchdown late in the game when Ellenburg connected with Taylor for a 44-yard touchdown making the final score 41-15.
Burnett finished 11-of-17 for 178 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for 50 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
Warnick had his second consecutive 100-yard game as he finished with six receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Taylor finished the game with 57 yards rushing and 66 yards receiving and two scores. Ellenburg finished 6-of-12 passing for 84 yards and two touchdowns.
Falkville (1-1) will host Sheffield (1-1) on Friday night while Danville (0-2) welcomes Susan Moore (0-2) to town.