Executive Director
DANVILLE ââ?¬â?? Sometimes you win, sometimes you
lose � and sometimes you just don�t show up until the second half. The latter
was the case Oct. 26 for highly regarded Danville
in the Warriors� Class 3A Sectional 21 semifinal against visiting Crawfordsville.
The
fourth-ranked Warriors played a first half that can only be described as dismal, yet somehow
they were tied with a quality Crawfordsville team at the intermission. The
Athenians probably should have called it a night at that point as Danville
returned to form and posted a 31-14 victory.
To say Danville was fortunate to
be tied at halftime is an understatement. Consider the following �
Quarterback
Colton Cooper�s first pass of the evening was picked off near midfield. Crawfordsville
immediately drove 54 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead midway through the
first quarter.
On its
second possession, Danville
got one first down and then fumbled. And although the Warriors eventually
recovered, they lost 20 yards on the play and had to punt.
After
punting, they were saved from being further behind only because a 34-yard pass
play deep into Danville
territory was nullified by a Crawfordsville holding penalty.
On its
fourth possession, Danville
would fumble again, this time losing the ball.
To their
credit, on the other hand, the Warrior defense stiffened as the half went
along, and that was all that was needed. You knew sooner or later the offense
would strike, and strike it did.
Cooper hit
Devin Mabbin on a 10-yard scoring strike with 1:56 left in the half and, at
least on the scoreboard, all was forgiven. Intermission arrived with the teams
in a 7-7 deadlock.
After
halftime, Danville
showed why it�s one of the top teams in 3A �
On their
first possession, the Warriors drove for a go-ahead 24-yard field goal before Crawfordsville
went three and out.
The second
Warrior possession of the half ended on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Cooper to
Brock Scott, and it was 17-7.
Once again,
Crawfordsville could not sustain a drive, and any remaining suspense was soon
over as Danville�s
next drive resulted in another 20-yard Cooper scoring strike.
It was
24-7, and the only question remaining was the final score. Each team added a
late touchdown, but the Athenians never threatened.
Certainly,
the weather did not aid Danville�s
wide-open offense. Most of the game was played in a light drizzle, and the rain
also put a damper on the crowd, which was far from a sellout.
Next up
for the Warriors is another home game with 14th-ranked Brebeuf in
the sectional final ââ?¬â?? and a whole week of practice where they will be
constantly reminded of the importance of playing four quarters.
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