Deshler tops Colbert County in close rivalry game
The Sept. 25 game between the Deshler Tigers and Colbert County Indians was another fitting installment in a rivalry that has seen 76 contests since 1923.
The contest was moved up a day by the second looming hurricane of the 2024 football season.
Despite a late surge by Colbert County, a goal line plunge with just over a minute remaining gave Deshler another close win in the series.
“This rivalry is extremely good for our kids and our program,” Deshler head coach Patrick Malone told the Tigers radio crew after the game. “We didn’t always finish like we needed to. My hat’s off to Colbert County and how they responded (in the second half). This is a great win for Deshler.”
The Tigers’ opening drive ended with a fumble recovered by the Indians, but CCHS ended up fumbling the ball right back.
After another change of possessions, it was Deshler that got on the board first when Price Thornton connected with Cam Fuller on a 33-yard touchdown pass. A two-point conversion failed, leaving the Tigers up 6-0.
Deshler attempted a surprise onside kick after the score, but Colbert County recovered at its own 33-yard line.
The score would remain 6-0 until a third of the way through the second quarter, thanks in part to a turnover on downs forced by the Indians at their own 9-yard line early in the quarter.
The Tigers broke the stalemate, once again through the air, as Price Thornton connected with Garrett Reid for a 16-yard score. This time Tripp Brooks booted in the point after, giving Deshler a 13-0 advantage.
The Indians were on the cusp of getting on the board after returning the ensuing kickoff to the Tigers’ 15-yard line, but a lost fumble recovered by Reid killed the drive.
After trailing 13-0 at the half, Colbert County came firing back.
A long quarter-opening drive culminated in a 5-yard touchdown run by Brandon Thornton. The PAT cut Deshler’s lead to 13-7.
The Indians would score once again in the third when Ke’shaun Jones capped a drive with a 7-yard run and score to give Colbert County a 14-13 lead.
The lead would change hands again early in the fourth, as Reid ended a Deshler drive with a 6-yard touchdown run. The Tigers would go for 2, and the conversion was good as Price Thornton connected with Jay Murner.
Less than two minutes later Colbert County would tie the game again, as Jashad Samples broke a long touchdown run to make it 21-21.
The teams would battle the remainder of the quarter, but a drive by Deshler gave the Tigers one last shot in the red zone.
It all came down to 4th and goal from the 2-yard line. Deshler had found the end zone before, but the points were erased by a chop block penalty.
In a play reminiscent of “Bo Over the Top,” Q Harden dove over the goal line and a wall of Colbert County defenders to notch the game-winning score with just 1:16 remaining on the clock.
The Indians had one last-ditch effort and fumbled on third down but recovered.
Colbert County’s final play ended in a “slam dunk” sack by Deshler’s C.J. Hankins to cap the Tiger victory with 17 seconds left.
“These guys struggled and battled all week in practice,” Malone said. “They got it done, and I’m proud of them. It was a great job by the seniors tonight.”
The Tigers’ broadcast team brought up the lack of penalties by the two teams in a very contested rivalry game, which hasn’t always been the case in past meetings.
“I know (Colbert County head coach) Scotty Hannah personally, and I can speak to what he teaches his team. We are both about playing with class,” Malone said.
The win puts Deshler at 3-2 overall on the season. The Tigers return to Class 4A, Region 7 play next week at home against Central, who is currently 5-0 overall and 3-0 in region play with wins over Wilson, Brooks and West Limestone.
After a second-week loss at Hatton, every game counts for Deshler in the nine-team region, and Central seems improved over last year, which saw a 57-47 win by the Tigers in a shootout.
With games against Brooks and West Morgan looming, a win here would be big for Deshler’s playoff hopes, but the Wildcats are sure not to make things easy.
Colbert County falls to 1-5 overall. The Indians return to Class 3A, Region 7 play with another county rivalry game at Colbert Heights (4-2, 2-1), who has definitely improved over last season.
Last year’s contest ended in a 49-27 win for the Indians, who lead the series 34-4.
However, last year Colbert Heights came in with a 1-5 record. This year, the Wildcats come in at 4-2.
That said, records tend to go out the window in rivalry games.
A win here would be big in the Wildcats’ bid to make the postseason for the first time since 2021, and likewise Colbert County needs a win to keep its playoff hopes alive.
