The Danville Hawks picked up a 33-19 victory over the Brewer Patriots to open the 2020 season.
The Hawks were led by the duo of senior running back Cameron Moore and sophomore quarterback Gage Taylor, who combined to score four rushing touchdowns.
Brewer got on the board first when junior quarterback Wyatt Styles hit Caden Childers for a 26-yard touchdown pass with 7:50 to go in the first. The score was set up by the first of two Gonzalo Ramierez interceptions.
Taylor bounced back from the interception and tossed his first career touchdown pass with 5:40 left in the first. The score gave the Hawks a 7-6 lead.
“I was proud of how Taylor handled himself on good and bad plays,” said Danville Coach Shannon McGregory. “He didn’t get too high or too low; he stayed on an even keel. That is what I want out of not only my quarterback but all of my players.”
The Patriots would regain the lead with 1:15 left in the first when Styles ran it in from nine yards out to take a 12-7 lead. The score was set up by Danville’s second turnover of the game, a muffed punt that was recovered by the Patriots’ Lee Murry.
Danville outscored Brewer 13-0 in the second quarter with two Taylor touchdown runs. The first came with 9:15 left from four yards out, giving the Hawks a 14-12 lead. The second came with 5:18 left on a 17-yard run that gave Danville a 20-12 lead.
The Hawks extended their lead to 27-12 midway through the third when Moore scored his first touchdown on a 70-yard run.
Brewer’s Ramerez intercepted his second pass of the game and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown to cut the Danville lead to 27-19 late in the third. Moore scored from five yards out with 1:02 left in the game to give the Hawks the 33-19 win.
“I thought overall the team’s performance was good and productive,” said McGregory. “We finished with over 450 yards in total offense while giving up just over 150 yards. That’s what we want to see.”
“A win or a loss in the early season will be what you make of it,” said Brewer Coach Geoff Walters. “Our goal of improving with each opportunity has not and will not change. Maintaining great attitudes will be crucial in our path to improvement.”
Danville, 1-0, will travel to Falkville Friday night to take on the Blue Devils in their season opener. Falkville defeated the Hawks 34-21 last season.
Brewer, 0-1, will host Priceville Friday night. The Bulldogs will be playing their season opener against the Patriots. Priceville won last season’s game 20-16.
