The Creekview Grizzlies earned a 20-14 home victory on Thursday night as they held off a late rally by the visiting North Forsyth Raiders. The weather was a stark contrast to the Week-1 tilt, as all in attendance were treated to Chamber of Commerce type weather for a high school football game.
After both teams failed sustain drives early in the contest, Creekview broke open the scoring as senior running back Tristan McWilliams found pay dirt for the first time this season, plunging in from two yards out. The point after touchdown attempt was no good, leaving the score at 6-0 with 2:04 left in the first quarter.
North Forsyth then battled back in the second quarter as the got on the board with an electric 75 yard touchdown run by senior runnign back, Colton Constable. North went ahead on the successful PAT. The Raiders struck again with 23 seconds remaining left before halftime as quarterback Elijah Seaney connected with Brady Holbrook for a 14 yard touchdown pass that was placed where only his receiver could make a play on the ball. The Raiders took a 14-6 lead in to halftime.
Neither team was able to get much going early in the third quarter. Creekview got the scoring started after their special teams recovered a muffed punt in Raiders territory. Later in the drive, quarterback Austin Guest connected with Jackson Stanley for an 11 yard TD pass and catch, bringing the Grizzlies to within 1 point at 14-13.
Both teams had trouble getting anything going on their ensuing two possession. Yet once again, it was the Creekview special teams recovering a muffed punt. The Grizzles cashed in again on the turnover as Austin Guest showed off his scrambling ability; this time with a 38 yard touchdown run, giving Creekview a 20-14 edge.
Both teams battled to a stalemate for most of the 4th quarter. Creekview had a chance to close out the game, but was stopped short on a 4th down play, giving the Raiders the ball back at their own 26 yard line with 1:05 left in the ballgame.
Seaney quickly found a wide open receiver streaking across the middle of the field setting up what would be an exciting finish. A holding penalty a few plays later nullified what would have been a trip inside the red-zone. With 6 seconds left in the game, Seaney rolled out to his right to buy time and heaved a pass into the end zone that fell to the turf and seemingly ended the game. However, a roughing the passer penalty on the Grizzlies gave the Raiders one last chance. Once again, Seaney rolled to his right and threw the ball towards the end zone, but again, the ball fell incomplete amongst a myriad of Creekview defenders and North Forsyth receivers.
It was another impressive game for the Creekview ground attack of Munn, McWilliams and Guest. Much credit should go tot he offensive line of Kevin Meade, Fernando Zurita, Charlie Counts, Braden Grantham and Ryan Sullivan.
Creekview (2-0, 0-0) will now set their sights on their first road trip as they travel to Fulton County next Friday (August 30th), as they face the Cambridge Bears. Meanwhile, North Forsyth (1-1, 0-0) will be back at home as the host the Lanier Longhorns next Friday.
Comments