By Marla Jones, Sports Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

VALLEY HEAD, Ala. — The Collinsville Panthers defeated the Valley Head Tigers, 6-0 on Friday night. 

 Collinsville scored the game's lone touchdown with :06 remaining in the first quarter, going 62 yards on 10 plays with 5 first downs.  The score came on quarterback Dalton Hughes 3 yard run.  The PAT kick was blocked by Bryson Morgan. 

After a drive that ate up most of the second quarter, Valley Head turned the ball over on downs inside their 10-yard line.  The Collinsville drive runs out of time.  The Panthers went into the half with the 6-0 lead.

Both teams had a possession in the third quarter but turned over on downs.  

Collinsville had the ball inside their own 10 to start the fourth quarter.  They turned over the ball to Valley Head. The Tigers put together a long drive late in the fourth but stalled on the 25-yard line, before turning over on downs.  Collinsville held on to their 6-point lead to run the game after a hard-fought battle by both teams. 

Malachi Orr led Collinsville,  rushing 15 times for 107 yards,  In addition to scoring the winning touchdown.  Hughes had 14 rushes for 51 yards and passed for 38 yards.  He punted 3 times, averaging close to 40 yards a punt.

Valley Head was led by quarterback Jordan Burt who rushed for 123 yards on 27 carries.  Bryson Morgan rushed for 47 yards on 12 carries.

 "That was a great battle between two great teams.  We knew Collinsville would test us in all areas of the game” stated Valley Head Head Coach Heath Vincent. “ We would have liked to win, but playing them tonight will make us better.  It really helps us to prepare for next week's playoff game."

"It was a great win for us.  We needed this.  We had to fight through so much with the tough loss at Geraldine last week and losses to injury and to the virus.  I am so proud of the way the team fought through our difficulties” stated Collinsville Head Coach Daniel Garrett. 

I don't know if I have ever been prouder of a team.  We played a lot of young ones.  And our seniors really gave us leadership in their last game.  I can't think of a better way to end our season” concluded Garrett. 

Valley Head will host Brilliant in the first round of the AHSAA State Playoffs.