Faulkner University

The trophy sat on a table in front of the Huntingdon Hawks, who smiled and jumped and celebrated through the announcement.

The ceremony didn't last long after Huntingdon's win over Faulkner in the first game between the schools and the Hawks soon stormed into their locker room to sing the school's fight song and continue their postgame party.

But Huntingdon's 30-12 victory Saturday at Samford Stadium could have made a lasting impression on a rivalry still in its infancy.

"I know how a lot of kids have Faulkner and Huntingdon in mind," Huntingdon defensive end Rishard Davis said. "If I was a high school senior and saw this game, I'd most definitely want to go to Huntingdon."

A Huntingdon-record announced crowd of 3,723 watched the Hawks (3-4) roll over the Eagles (1-5) and start the officially named Capital City Showdown with an emotional rout.

Recruiting pitches certainly will include the victory. Commemorative DVDs may be on the way.

"You want to win any time you play a rival," Huntingdon quarterback Zach Golson said. "We wanted to let them know this is our city and we wanted to go out and prove it.

"This is even bigger for recruiting. We're going after a lot of the same players and guys want to be on the winning side of that."

Steven Laye caught two touchdown passes, Huntingdon had two defensive starters score touchdowns, and the Hawks led 30-0 after three quarters Saturday.

Davis went in as a running back and capped Huntingdon's first drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, while linebacker Granger Shook returned a botched hook-and-ladder play for a touchdown on the final play of the first half.

Shook's 55-yard return made it 27-0.

"We came out ready to play and I think it showed on the scoreboard," Shook said. "We're always competing for kids, coaches, everything, respect, everything. I definitely think we got that respect today."

Faulkner, which had only 99 yards total offense and three first downs in the first half, scored twice in the game's final 41/2 minutes. Quarterback Chad Kilgore had a 1-yard touchdown sneak and Terrance Craig a 97-yard run.

"I feel like we've been competitive in most of our games," Faulkner coach Jim Nichols said. "We're getting better. Still, I don't like to lose.

There's a difference between a bad loss and a good loss, and this was not a good loss."

Huntingdon and Faulkner decided to play each year -- in a matchup of Methodist- and Church of Christ-affiliated schools -- soon after Faulkner announced it was adding football.

The Eagles, who are Division I members of the NAIA, are in their first season. NCAA Division III Huntingdon is a fifth-year program.

"We won't really know what this rivalry is about for a couple of years," Huntingdon coach Mike Turk said. "The whole deal today and this week has been great for both programs, but you could play this thing in a parking lot and it would still be a great game."

Laye followed Davis' touchdown with his two scores to make it 20-0.

The Hawks called for a reverse pass that receiver Xavier Carroll threw to Laye for a 50-yard touchdown. With two minutes left in the half, Golson rolled to his left and found Laye in the end zone.

Laye set career highs with six catches and 120 yards.

"They blitzed a lot and we hurt them when they blitzed," Laye said. "It just happened to be me today."

Adam Brummett kicked a 27-yard field goal in the third quarter and the Hawks started yearning for their trophy -- the Communion Cup? As Huntingdon gathered for the presentation, Faulkner trudged off the field.

Next year's second meeting awaits.

"This means a lot," Carroll said. "This shows who runs the city now."