Grizzlies claw Knights, set up 7A-AAA showdown

OAKWOOD -- Coming off a disappointing loss to North Hall last week, Creekview came to Billy Ellis Memorial Stadium with their claws out on Friday night.

The Grizzlies turned a close game at Johnson into a 44-0 halftime lead late in the second half and rode the momentum to a 51-14 victory over the Knights in Oakwood.

The first quarter seemed lackluster, as both teams were forced to swap punt after punt. However, as the clock began to wind the quarter down, Creekview (4-1, 0-1 Region 7A-AAA) finally mounted a scoring drive. Beginning with a Johnson punt that gave Creekview excellent field position on the Knights 49-yard line, Grizzles quarterback Cody Allen threw an 11-yard pass to Dillon Mulkey. Eight plays later, Allen again found Mulkey, but this time in the back corner of the end zone for a Creekview touchdown and the lead, 7-0.

Creekview’s defense stopped the Knights (1-5, 0-1 Region 7B-AAA) once more and three plays later, on an off tackle run to the right, Michael Ay burst through Johnson’s defense, sprinting for a 79-yard touchdown, bringing the Grizzlies lead to 14-0.

In their next possession, with outstanding field position once more, Creekview
again scored on a 33-yard pass to Justin Wright, widening its lead to 21-0.

Creekview scored four more times before the end of the half, including 16 points in 27 seconds. The first touchdown came on a 31-yard scamper from Hunter Livingston. After holding the Johnson offense to 3 and out, the Grizzles took possession with 55 seconds left in the half. On the second play from scrimmage, Allen found Mulkey on a 15 yard fade route for another score.

Johnson’s Anthony Prophet took the ensuing kickoff, scrambled trying to make a play, but was tackled in the end zone for a Creekview safety. After the ensuing kickoff, Livingston scrambled 49 yards on a draw play for the final score of the half. The Grizzles went to the locker room with a 44-0 advantage.

Johnson’s offense could not consistently move the ball in the first half, managing only 41 yards of offense before the break. In contrast, Creekview amassed 304 total yards in the first half.

“We started out slow at the beginning of the game; they (Johnson) have some big kids on the line and they were hard to move," Creekview coach, Al Morrell said. “But once our defense rebounded, this in turn affected our offense and we were finally able to make big plays on the ground and in the air.”

The second half saw Creekview with a new quarterback, freshman Hayden Hall. The Grizzles scored on a 1-yard push from Taylor Temples extending their lead 51-0.

But the Johnson Knights wouldn’t allow a scoreless homecoming, as Prophet burst through the line of scrimmage, scoring on an 85-yard quarterback keeper, bringing the score to 51-7. Johnson scored again in the fourth quarter, as Mantevius Rucker sprinted across the goal line for a 16-yard touchdown, bringing the final score to Creekview 51, Johnson 14.

Johnson finished the night with 190 yards total offense. Prophet rushed for 68 yards on 6 carries and 1 touchdown. He was also 2 for 12 passing for 37 yards. Rucker had 22 yards on 4 carries with 1 touchdown. Freshman, Joey Brooks rushed 6 times for 46 yards.

“We were already down two running backs coming into this game,” Johnson coach Paul Friel said. “I was forced to play a freshman at corner, and with only 17 varsity players, several of the regular starters had to play both sides of the ball. Next week we go to West Hall a bit more evenly matched. My players performance in the third quarter tonight gave me hope that we can take home a win next week.”

Creekview finished the night with 433 yards of total offense. Hunter Livingston carried the ball 11 times for 121 yards and 2 touchdowns. Michael Ay carried the ball 8 times for 112 yards and 1 touchdown.

Quarterback Cody Allen, completed 6 of 9 passes for 75 yards and 3 touchdowns. The leading receiver for the Grizzles was Justin Wright with 2 receptions for 48 yards and 2 touchdowns.

“We had to rebound after the North Hall game,” said Morrell. “Next week we go to White County and play our biggest game of the year. Last year the final spot in the subregion came down to us and White County. I want to make sure we get that spot again. Tonight’s win will give us the momentum we need to secure a victory and a spot in the state playoffs.”

-- By Robin Parr