COLLINSVILLE — Senior Daine Bealon rushed for 188 yards, more than half of his total for last season, to lead Springfield High School past Collinsville 33-26 Friday night in the non-conference football opener for both teams.
Bealon, who ran for 313 yards in 2007, carried 14 times against the Kahoks and had touchdown runs of 15, 42 and 68 yards.
“Dane is a senior; he’s a big-gamer,” Springfield coach Mike Taylor said. “From track in the spring to now, he has worked hard.”
Three straight scores — two in the first 1 minute 8 seconds of the second half — gave Springfield a seemingly comfortable 27-7 lead. But the Kahoks responded with two touchdowns on runs by quarterback Jevon Hawkins to pull within 27-20.
Springfield got another touchdown on an 11-yard run from Deandre Calloway with 1:11 left in the third to pad the Senators’ lead to 33-20. Just three plays later, Hawkins broke off a 71-yard scoring run and Collinsville trailed 33-26 heading into the fourth.
After three punts, Collinsville had the ball with 2:18 left in the game from its own 15-yard line. Two incomplete passes and a 9-yard run by Hawkins brought up a four-and-inches play that Hawkins converted to continue the drive.
After a pass interference call against Springfield and a 23-yard run, the Kahoks had the ball on the Senators’ 37 with 1:07 left. They got as close as the 31 but on third-and-4, the Senators tackled Hawkins in the backfield. His heave for the end zone as time expired hit off the hands of two Springfield defenders and fell harmlessly to the ground.
“The No. 1 thing I liked tonight was the fight in our kids,” Collinsville coach Mike Liljegren said. “I’ve been on that sideline for a few years now and there were a few years where we didn’t have anything to give back. I know we got it and I know the kids got it and they proved it to themselves tonight.”
Hawkins finished with 167 yards on 30 carries and passed for 160 yards on 4-of-13 passing with one interception.
“No. 12, Hawkins, wow with a capital ‘W,’” Taylor said. “He is for real. I’m glad we don’t have to face him again. The thing is, we have a quarterback that is a little bit like him so we kind of got some of the taste of that, but boy does he have an arm. Wow, can he uncork it.
“When Tyrell (Bolden, the Senators’ quarterback,) becomes a senior, that’s who we hope he’s looking like.”
Taylor admitted to being more than just a coach on the sidelines, but also a fan.
“I like being part of good football,” he said. “People are going to think I am weird, strange, whatever, but it was a pleasure watching Hawkins play tonight.”
Mark Gilchrese had a 3-yard scoring run in the third, the third of three straight Senators scores. Collinsville’s Andre Borney also scored in the first quarter.
Bealon said the team had what it took mentally to win the game.
“We just had it set in our minds and came down here and won our first game,” he said. “We are on a three-game losing streak (dating back) to last year. We wanted to break that. This year they brought it; it was a dogfight, I’m not going to lie.
“Both teams wanted the win tonight. Thankfully, we got the win.”
Ryan Mahan can be reached through the sports department at 788-1545.
AT COLLINSVILLE
Springfield 7 7 19 0 — 33
Collinsville 7 0 19 0 — 26
Scoring
S — Daine Bealon 15 run (Daine Bealon kick)
C — Andre Borney 9 run (Nate Bawdon kick)
S — Daine Bealon 42 run (Daine Bealon kick)
S — Daine Bealon 68 run (Daine Bealon kick)
S — Mark Gilchrese 3 run (kick failed)
C — Jevon Hawkins 13 run (kick failed)
C — Jevon Hawkins 2 run (Nate Bawdon kick)
S — Deandre Calloway 11 run (kick blocked)
C — Jevon Hawkins 71 run (kick failed)
RUSHING: Springfield (36-283) — Tyrell Bolden 10-16, Benjamin Mathis 4-27, Daine Bealon 14-188, Mark Gilchrese 4-43, Deandre Calloway 4-9. Collinsville (51-255) — Jevon Hawkins 30-167, Tim McGary 9-38, Georg Boddie 2-12, Mike Luther 3-3, Kevin Hodge 1-2, Andre Borney 1-9, Tyrone King 5-24.
PASSING: Springfield (5-7-76-0) — Tyrell Bolden 4-6-64-0, Benjamin Mathis 1-1-12-0. Collinsville (4-13-160-1) — Jevon Hawkins 4-13-160-1.
RECEIVING: Springfield (5-76) — Pat Doty 1-21, Benjamin Mathis 1-12, Tyrell Bolden 1-12, Daine Bealon 1-17, Mark Gilchrese 1-14.
FIRST DOWNS: Springfield 17, Collinsville 16. FUMBLES-LOST: Springfield 1-1, Collinsville 1-1. PENALTIES: Springfield 10-61, Collinsville 6-57.
Officials: Referee — Jeff Walker. Umpire — Zipper Brandhorst. Linesman — Aaron Wright. Line judge — Clarence McGuire. Back judge — Darren Coffel.
Records: Springfield High 1-0, Collinsville 0-1.
