By Spencer Main
The Tuscaloosa News

A 37-yard touchdown run by Dallas County running back Octavious Palmer late in the fourth quarter not only closed the chances for Central High School to make a comeback, but it also eliminated the Falcons from making it to the playoffs. In a game played in low temperatures, Dallas County High School defeated Central in a critical region 3 game 23-11 Friday night.

“This is the third time these schools have played each other and its been nailbiters every single time,” Dallas County coach Marty Smith said. “So its just good to come out of here with a win.”

In the second to last game of the season, Smith said he understood the high emotion fueling both teams throughout the game and he had to keep reminding his players to stay focused.

“There was a lot riding so Central either had to win to be in the playoffs to go home so we knew it was gonna be an emotional game for both situations,” Smith said. “The biggest thing was everybody to just keep their composure and find a way to keep plugging.”

After being shutout in the first half Central coach Dennis Conner said he was pleased with how his players fought back in the second half.

“We just couldn’t get no consistent good flow of the ball game tonight,” Conner said. “We had a chance all the way down to the last couple minutes.”

Even after the Falcons were limited to 77 yards of total offense in the second half compared to the Hornets 300 yards, Conner said he was impressed with his teams ability to keep the game within striking distance all the way to the fourth quarter.

Derrion Atchison had a 70 yard interception return for Dallas County. Calvin Starks had a 70 yard rushing touchdown and Paul Daniels made a 27 yard field goal.

Central falls to (2-7, 2-4) and travels to Northridge High School next Thursday to finish up the regular season. Dallas County improves to (5-4,4-2) and hosts Billingsley High School next Friday for its last game of the season.