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CHAD HAWKINS STADIUM -- Gaylesville's football team hasn't won a region title in three decades. With their best team in years, though, the Trojans entered Friday night's game tied for first place. With a win at Collinsville the Trojans would have been in the driver's seat to win the region championship.

Sometimes dreams die hard.

On their homecoming, Collinsville stomped Gaylesville 40-0, clinching the Class 1A Region 7 championship for themselves. For Gaylesville football fans, the words of singer Gary Morris seem to fit.

Dreams die hard
When they don't come true
Dreams die hard
And there's nothing you can do

One of the keys to victory, according to Collinsville coach Alan Beckett, was to stop the vaunted Gaylesville running game.

“They're a good running football team,” Beckett said. “We really worked hard in trying to take away what they did best. I thought we forced them to do something besides what they do well.”

Collinsville's plan worked to perfection, holding the Trojans to only 29 rushing yards the entire first half.

Both defenses held firm through the first quarter. Each team punted twice and collectively accumulated only four first downs.

After a scoreless first quarter, the homestanding Panthers exploded into the scoring column. Their first possession resulted in a nine-play, 73-yard touchdown drive, highlighted by a converted third down on a keeper by junior quarterback Nathan Coker. The pivotal pick-up was followed by five consecutive runs by Coker's junior back-up, Tray Reed, who tallied the drive's final 41 yards. A successful PAT by sophomore David Hernandez made the score 7-0.

Gaylesville botched the ensuing kickoff but recovered in the end zone the ball for a touchback. On the next play, Coker stripped Trojan running back Andrew Lindsey of the ball, and carried the pigskin 23 yards for the touchdown.

After the teams traded possessions, Collinsville struck again. Coker capped a five-play, 70-yard drive with a completion to receiver Zelos McElrath, who scampered 37 yards for the score and a 21-0 lead.

The Panthers quickly scored again on Lamond Sumpter's 28-yard interception return for on Gaylesville's next play from scrimmage. Hernandez missed the point-after, and the 27-0 score would hold until halftime.

The third quarter began just as the second ended, with a Collinsville touchdown.

Reed scampered 17 yards for the score to complete an 11-play, 83-yard drive.

The Trojans threatened on their next drive, picking up two first downs before the Panthers' senior Matthew Dougherty recovered a fumble.

Though Gaylesville senior Michael Zuber recovered a Panther fumble three plays later, the Trojans couldn't dial up a score, faltering on downs at the Collinsville 28.

After alternating possessions to start the 4th quarter, Collinsville ended the night's scoring with a five-play, 52-yard drive, ending in sophomore Chris Jones's one-yard run. Hernandez's successful PAT closed out the scoring.

Gaylesville (5-2, 4-1) travels to Valley Head Friday. Collinsville (7-0, 5-0) has a bye week before finishing region play at Valley Head on Oct. 22.