Sandy Creek, in the thick of a tight Region 6-AAA race, couldn’t afford to lose to region rival Cass Friday night.

Sandy Creek’s balanced offensive attack and its stout defense made sure the Patriots stayed near the top of the region standings Friday with a 31-14 victory over host Cass.

Creek (5-4, 4-2) is currently tied with Haralson County and Cedartown for second place in the region. Creek needs to beat Cedartown Friday to wrap up third place and a spot in the playoffs. If Creek beats Cedartown and first-place Carrollton loses — it’s playing at Villa Rica — Creek would finish first and earn a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

If Creek wins, Carrollton wins and Haralson loses, Creek would finish second in the region and still would earn a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

Running back Ragion Neal carried Creek’s offense in the first half against Cass, scoring twice, on an 11-yard run and a 1-yard run. His touchdowns were sandwiched around a 1-yard touchdown run by Cass running back Richard Samuel.

Creek safety Russell Bonner’s interception on Cass’ possession following Neal’s second touchdown run set up a 28-yard field goal by Zach Lopez that put Creek in front 17-7.

Just before the end of the half, Samuel leaped over Creek’s offensive line, blocked a field-goal attempt and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown to cut Creek’s lead to three.

Creek’s defense took over in the second half and was dominant, holding Cass scoreless.

Samuel, who has verbally committed to Georgia, was held in check by Creek’s defense, finishing with only 88 yards rushing. Creek’s defense kept Cass under 200 yards of total offense (162) on the night.

"Our defense has been outstanding all year," Creek coach Chip Walker said. "It was another great performance by them Friday night."

Creek outscored Cass 14-0 in the second half to put away the Rebels for good.

Patriots running back Josh Williams scored on an 8-yard run in the third quarter, and quarterback Rio Johnson, who connected on his first 12 passes, threw a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Braxton Lane in the fourth quarter.

Lane’s touchdown followed a muffed punt that Creek linebacker Matt Solomon recovered. Solomon was a force on defense, with a team-high 10 tackles and one pass defensed.

The Patriots’ offense turned in its best performance of the season, piling up a season-high 399 yards of total offense. Johnson (18-of-28, 218 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions), Lane (eight receptions, 121 yards, one touchdown) and Neal (14 carries, 80 yards, two touchdowns) were an explosive trio on offense for the Patriots.

"Whether it was running or throwing, the kids just executed on offense," Walker said. "For us to play well, Rio has to play well. He played a good game. And we did a good job of balancing runs and passes."

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