Staff Reports

VALLEY HEAD – Mason McAteer completed 8-of-15 pass attempts for 296 yards and four touchdowns in leading the Collinsville Panthers past Valley Head 27-22 in high school football action on Thursday.

But his biggest plays came late in the game.

After Valley Head marched 88 yards in 20 plays that ate up over 10 minutes on the clock, McAteer had three runs and a 6-yard pass to Gavin Lang to get a first down, allowing the Panthers to run out the clock and secure head coach Ernie Willingham his 150th career victory.

Quintavious Rogers caught three passes for 131 yards and two scores for Collinsville (8-2). He also accounted for 38 yards on the ground.

Rogers scored the Panthers’ first touchdown on a 61-yard reception. The extra point failed, but Collinsville held a 6-0 advantage after a quarter.

After Valley Head’s Ven Johnson tied the game at 6 on a 3-yard run in the second quarter, Collinsville’s Gavin Lang scored on a 38-yard pass from McAteer. Aaron Hererra’s kick made the score 13-6.

Valley Head’s Nathaniel Bain helped give the Tigers the lead on a 50-yard run. Hernan Moreno added the 2-point conversion with 3:14 remaining in the second quarter, giving Valley Head a 14-13 advantage.

Collinsville countered with McAteer’s 56-yard touchdown pass to Tytan Morgan. With a minute remaining in the first half, the Panthers held a 20-14 lead at halftime.

Rogers opened the third quarter by catching a 38-yard touchdown pass from McAteer. Hererra’s kick gave Collinsville a two-score advantage at 27-13.

Bain scored on a 4-yard run with 4:02 remaining in the game to pull the Tigers (7-3) within five at 27-22, but McAteer managed to run out the clock and preserve the Panther win.

Bain gained 146 yards on 21 carries with two touchdowns for Valley Head. William Blevins compiled 176 yards on 28 carries.

Collinsville travels to Southeastern of Remlap in the first round of the Class 2A state playoffs next Friday. Valley Head opens the Class 1A playoffs at home against Ragland.