By John E. Morgan

Sports Reporter

In order to compete with Randolph County in the first round of the state playoffs, Collinsville had to play error- free football.  They did not.  Turnovers and mistakes.

In order to win at Randolph County, the Panthers needed to stop Tigers running back Reco Hannah.  Not even close.  Five touchdowns in the first half.

To have hope, Collinsville needed to have healthy players including the ones returning for the game.  Instead there were even more injuries.

And so, when the rain that had fallen sporadically all night erupted into a downpour and lightning crashed nearby, teams and fans ran off the field ending the game with 6:36 left in the fourth quarter and Collinsville losing 70-7.

It was not that the Panthers did not play hard early and compete with the Tigers.  Coach Ernie Willingham said, “We missed our chances early to stay with them.  We had some opportunities, but we did not use them.”

After Randolph scored on their first possession, Collinsville picked up a couple of first downs getting to the Tiger 34.  And then Reco Hannah intercepted a pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown.  Next possession, another INT and a Tiger drive with Hannah scoring from eight yards out to get it to 21-0 as the first quarter ended.

Collinsville failed to move the ball.  A punt.  And a 60 yard Hannah run on first down for another TD..  The Panthers did not quit.  Trenton Nash responded with a 71 yard kickoff return and the Panthers were able to push in their only touchdown on a Gerald Blakely one yard run.  28-7. Then the Panthers covered the onside kick. Hope began to rise on the Collinsville side of the field.  But they could not move the ball, and  punt led to a 34 yard Hannah run to get to 35-7.

There was one last Panther gasp.  Daniel Mann returned the kickoff 50 yards and Collinsville moved to a first on the fourteen.  Then Hannah ended his night by intercepting at the seven and returning it 93 yards for his fifth TD and a 42-7 halftime lead.  An official said that Alabama had someone in the crowd watching Hannah.  Collinsville certainly did not want to see any more of him.

Randolph County would add four more touchdowns in the second half before the lightning flashed.  But the game was really over at halftime.  By then Collinsville had seen leading rusher and receiver Dallas Reed reinjure his foot after touching the ball only three times.  The Panthers also lost leading lineman Demetrie Hill who was in street clothes in the second quarter.

Willingham said, “Even full speed, it would not be easy for us to stay with them.  We were a little bit over our head.  We ran into a buzz saw tonight.  And then with the injuries…well we had freshmen trying to tackle Hannah.  We should have won a couple of more games earlier in the year so that we would have had a better chance to advance in the playoffs.”  And then he shook his head, looking around the locker room at his rain drenched Panthers.  One parent, leaning in the room, said, “It’s okay.  You all played hard.  Now let’s go win some basketball games.”  But it was a long, wet drive home.