Staff Reports

COLLINSVILLE – Collinsville junior quarterback Keaton Deboard ran for 120 yards on 15 carries, but they weren’t enough to lead the Panthers past Section on Friday night. The Lions roared to a 34-6 victory to spoil the return of Collinsville coach Ernie Willingham in the season opener for both teams.

“It is really good to be back, but it was not a good outcome,” Willingham said. “I thought both teams played hard, but I thought that they exposed us. We have a lot of work to do this year.  We have to play better.  We have to block and tackle better.”

Section (1-0) built a two-touchdown advantage at halftime behind a Buddy Walker 9-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a Drake McCutchen 24-yard scoring run in the second.

The Lions increased their lead to 22-0 on McCutchen’s 50-yard touchdown run. He also threw the ensuing 2-point conversion pass to quarterback Jacob Cooper.

Cooper connected with Cameron Summerford on a 60-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter to extend the Lion lead to 28-0.

Collinsville (0-1) finally got on the scoreboard on a Fernando Padilla 9-yard touchdown run with seven minutes to go in the game. The extra point failed.

Section’s Conner Sronvi capped the scoring with a 23-yard touchdown run with 2:38 remaining for the final.

Deboard also completed 3-of-13 pass attempts for 44 yards. Colton Wills ran for 57 yards on 11 totes and had a catch for 34 yards. Jameson Coker had an interception and a fumble recovery.

Collinsville travels to Crossville next Friday.