By Stephen Smith
The Tuscaloosa News

TUSCALOOSA — Dallas County (4-2) didn’t dial up a single pass play Friday night in a 15-14 win over Central Tuscaloosa (3-3).

On a windy night in Tuscaloosa, Hornets’ head coach Marty Smith thought his team was better off keeping the ball on the ground and the game plan worked. Darrell Moorer and Calvin Starks each ran for touchdowns as Dallas County improved to 4-2 on the season for the first time since 2004.

“We looked at the weather prior to game time,” Smith said. “We knew it was going to be windy, and despite how much I love our quarterback, he does not have the strongest arm. We went with the run game and I thought our offensive line played well.”

The win spoiled homecoming for Central, who lost for the third time in four games.

Falcons’ senior quarter Robert Jones threw a 67-yard pass in the fourth quarter that set up a one-yard run from senior tailback Eldric Jones, cutting Dallas County’s lead to 15-12. A successful two-point conversion from Jones made it a one-point game with 2:49 remaining, but it wasn’t enough.

Robert Jones completed eight of 15 passes for 148 yards.

Running back Eldric Jones was Central’s lone bright spot on offense against Dallas County. He totaled two rushing touchdowns on runs of 5 yards and 1-yard. Jones eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing on the season in the fourth quarter.

“He is a serious threat,” Conner said. “This is the second year in a row in which he has gained 1,000 yards rushing. We are only four games in and he already has 1,000 yards with six games to go. He is such a hard worker.”

Moorer’s touchdown came on a 5-yard run with 1:49 left in the second quarter, giving the Hornets an 8-6 advantage. Starks’ touchdown was from 16 yards out in the third quarter to put

Dallas County hosts Wilcox Central on Thursday night.