CHAD HAWKINS STADIUM — Collinsville's cement bleachers may have been cold, but the action on the field was sizzling. In one of the most anticipated high school football matchups of the season, Collinsville outlasted Region 7A rival Cedar Bluff 26-20 here Friday night.

The action started early. The Panthers, ranked No. 3 in Class 1A, tallied the game's first score three plays into the contest on senior quarterback Nathan Coker's 43-yard touchdown pass to junior wide-out Edgar Padilla. The point-after was good.

The Tigers quickly marched to the Collinsville 5-yard line. The Panther defense held on fourth-and-goal, but were forced to punt from their own end zone on their next possession.

Cedar Bluff took advantage with a four-play, 38-yard scoring drive. Six foot three junior gunslinger Levi Mintz found junior DeAngelo Hardy for the score. The 24-yard touchdown pass trimmed Collinsville's lead to 7-6, a score that held into the second quarter.

Defenses stiffened, and each team failed to make a first down on its next possession. Then the game's intensity flamed up. Blood, grass, and helmet-paint stains was smeared across uniforms. Several players were penalized for personal fouls. Every official's call caused boisterous complaints from coaches and fans.

In the midst of the hostilities, Collinsville drove 82 yards for the game's next score. Coker's 19-yard pass to senior receiver Colby Helms pushed the Panther lead to 14-6.

Cedar Bluff responded. Mintz's 25-yard pass to senior Rihied Harris brought the Tigers to within two points. The 14-12 score held through halftime.

In the third quarter Cedar Bluff took possession but failed to advance. A Tiger punt pinned Collinsville at its 1-yard line. Thirteen plays and seven minutes later, the Panthers scored again on DeShawn Moore's 39-yard reception. A blocked PAT held the Collinsville lead at 20-12.

Like a boomerang, the Tigers came back. In only two plays and 31 seconds Cedar Bluff scored on a 37-yard run by junior Bam Henderson. Mintz's two-point conversion pass to Harris tied the score at 20-20 late in the third.

On its next possession Cedar Bluff began driving the Panther defense back towards its own goal line.

“They were running up and down the field,” Collinsville coach Alan Beckett said. “We were getting hit in the nose. We called a time out to catch our breath.”

It was a good call. Two plays later defensive back DeShawn Moore made Collinsville's biggest play of the year. On third down Mintz drilled a pass toward the right sideline. Moore stretched out his left hand, made the catch, dodged traffic, and sprinted 87 yards to the Tiger 2-yard line.

Collinsville senior Jesse Chandler punched in the pigskin on the next play, giving the Panthers the lead for good.

Cedar Bluff failed on its final two possessions before Coker ran out the clock, keeping Collinsville's undefeated record intact.

Collinsville (6-0, 4-0) travels to Gaylesville Friday, the region title in sight. Cedar Bluff (2-4, 2-1) hosts Spring Garden.