GAYLESVILLE — When people in Cherokee County think of Collinsville, they think of Saturday mornings with dusty aisles of crafts, cheap sunglasses, and corndogs at Trade Day. With Collinsville's third-ranked, undefeated football team outscoring opponents 280-80, maybe Collinsville will become known for its Friday nights, too.

Last Friday, the Panthers clinched their second consecutive region title with a 28-7 win at Gaylesville.

Like a crafty magician, Collinsville head coach Alan Beckett brought with him a big bag of tricks. On the first play from scrimmage, Beckett unveiled a “Texas Tech” set, stretching his linemen across the field. The scheme paid off as senior receiver Curtis Williams snared the ensuing screen pass and scampered 68 yards for the touchdown.

Junior kicker David Hernandez's successful point-after gave the Panthers a 7-0 advantage, just seconds into the game.

Two critical defensive plays highlighted the rest of the opening quarter.

Junior John David Jennings and sophomore Cole Murphy sacked Panther quarterback Nathan Coker on fourth down at the Trojan 4-yard line. Collinsville senior Jesse Chandler returned the favor, recovering a Trojan fumble on the ensuing possession.

Coach Beckett elaborated on an adjustment that would pad the Panther lead “Gaylesville's defense tried to take away the perimeter--to box us in, but what they were leaving was hash to hash [middle of the field].”

On the second play of the second quarter, Coker connected with Williams on a 46-yard touchdown pass up the middle of the field. The point-after try failed, and the Panthers led 13-0.

Gaylesville's lone touchdown came after senior Levi Morgan's interception. Ten plays later Cole Murphy's pass was tipped twice in the end zone before senior end Brian Sanford cradled it for the score. Sanford's PAT closed the gap to 13-7, numbers that would remain on the scoreboard through half time.

In the second half, Collinsville's depth wore down the Trojans as they tallied 15 unanswered points.

“We have a lot of confidence in a lot of players,” Beckett said after the game. “We just tried to run numbers at them.”

Senior quarterback Nathan Coker, playing on his birthday, scampered 11 yards up the middle for a third-quarter Panther score.

In the fourth frame Hernandez's 27-yard field goal, and senior Tray Reed's 5-yard scamper ended the scoring at 28-7.

Despite the loss, Gaylesville (2-5, 2-2) earned a playoff berth with Spring Garden's loss to Cedar Bluff.

“I thought we played as hard as we could play,” Trojans coach Brian Clowdis said after the game. “The playoffs aren't a big deal at this point. We just need to win.”

On the other side of the field Beckett was excited, but cautious.

“It's great to be region champions for the second time in a row,” he said. “We peaked last year against Gaylesville, and it went downhill after that. The marathon of the season, the kids were not prepared for it last year. I'm hoping mentally we will be more prepared for the length of the season and into the playoffs.”

This week Collinsville (7-0, 5-0) travels to Decatur Heritage Christian. Gaylesville hosts Valley Head.