Nobody gave Sandy Creek much of a chance to beat undefeated North Hall, which had been averaging a whopping 49.9 points per game.

Creek kept it close entering the final quarter, but North Hall scored on consecutive plays from scrimmage in the fourth quarter to end Creek's season Friday, 21-7, in the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs at the Brickyard in Gainesville.



Creek and North Hall were deadlocked in a scoreless tie at halftime, and it became evident that a big play or two in the second half would be decisive.

A big reason the Patriots were able to keep the game close in the first half was their defense, which forced North Hall's high-scoring offense to go three-and-out on three of its five possessions and held the Trojans to three first downs.

Creek's first significant mishap of the game, a fumble by running back Ragion Neal that was recovered by the Trojans at the Creek 32-yard line on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, led to a 2-yard touchdown run by Hunter Wolf.

Trailing North Hall 7-0, Sandy Creek scored on the first play of the fourth quarter when Rio Johnson connected with his favorite target, wide receiver Braxton Lane, on a 65-yard touchdown pass.

Lane had five receptions for 98 yards (a 19.6-yard average), and he returned two kickoffs for 100 yards, including an 85-yarder.

North Hall wiped out Creek’s comeback hopes by scoring touchdowns on back-to-back plays from scrimmage.

Following Lane’s touchdown reception, Wolf returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to the Creek 25-yard line.

Two plays later, quarterback Fabian Jackson scored on a 23-yard run down the left sideline for the go-ahead touchdown, 14-7.

Then, on the first play of Creek's ensuing possession, a host of Trojans defenders smothered Lane, who took the ball on an end around, in the backfield, Trojans linebacker Wolf ripped the ball free, and Wolf ran 15 yards into the end zone.

Lane redeemed himself on the ensuing kickoff with a return to the North Hall 21-yard line. The Creek offense took the field, and, on third-and-6, Johnson hit Lane with an 8-yard pass on a quick slant to give Creek a first-and-goal at the North Hall 8-yard line.

Creek was on the verge of scoring, but Mr. Do Everything, Wolf, sealed the victory on second-and-goal with an interception in the end zone.

"If you make as many turnovers as we did, there is no way you can win, especially against a team as good as North Hall," Creek coach Chip Walker said. "North Hall didn't need to go further than 30 yards for a scoring drive all night. That was the difference."

North Hall (12-0) moved on to the Class AAA state quarterfinals with the victory.

Creek finished the season with a 7-5 record.

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