The Sandy Creek Patriots took advantage of turnovers and came up with big plays in clutch situations Friday to get past Storm Johnson and the feisty Loganville Red Devils in round one of the Class AAAA state playoffs.
Creek (10-1) won the game by a final score of 37-19.
“It wasn’t our sharpest effort of the season, but our kids played tough,” said Patriots head coach Chip Walker.
“[Loganville] is a heck of a team. We don’t like to give up 19 points, but they’ve got some weapons. [Johnson] is a good back.”
Johnson, a Miami commit, racked up 204 rushing yards on 23 attempts against the Patriots, but every time he broke a big play, Creek answered in short notice.
Moments after Johnson streaked for a 78 rushing touchdown on his second carry of the game, Creek star running back Rajion Neal returned the ensuing kickoff for a 74 yard touchdown.
Interceptions by defensive veterans Isaiah Johnson and Sean Rowe slammed the door on potential scoring drives for the Red Devils. Both led to touchdowns for Sandy Creek.
When Loganville tried to battle back in the fourth quarter, a key fourth down stop and a fumble recovery by Patriot linebacker Mike Spaulding iced the win.
“We got the plays when we needed them,” said Walker, whose team was outgained from scrimmage by 20 yards, 339 to 319.
“[Neal’s] kickoff return was huge for us. The defense created some turnovers and [quarterback] Ronnie Bell was sharp.”
Creek opened the game with an eight play, 55 yard scoring push that included two key fourth down conversions. Bell’s accurate arm carried the drive. After an 11 yard strike to wideout Alex Chisum set up a fourth and four from the Loganville 38, Bell found Patrick Alexander in the flat for the first down.
Three plays later the Patriots found themselves facing a fourth and two from the Red Devils’ 24. Rather than bring out Zack Lopez for the long field goal try, Walker elected to go for it again. This time Bell connected with Jarrett Davis in the right flat. Davis shrugged off a tackler, turned the corner and accelerated into the end zone for an early 7-0 lead.
The back to back Johnson and Neal scores (and a missed Loganville extra point) made it 14-6 Creek with over 20 minutes left to play before halftime.
Rowe’s red zone interception of Loganville quarterback A.J. Schmidt sparked the Patriots next scoring drive.
Devon Hughes came up with a pair of impressive grabs -- a 21 yarder that dug Creek out of a penalty-induced first and 27 hole and a six yard touchdown catch on third and goal.
Loganville scored once more before the half, but failed to convert the two point conversion.
A failed onside attempt by Loganville and a quick 25 yard strike from Bell to Chisum set up a Lopez field goal with just seconds remaining before the half, giving Creek a 24-12 advantage at the midway point.
After offense dominated the game through two quarters, both defenses came out firing in the third.
“It was physical game,” Walker explained.
“We missed some tackles, but there were some hard hits out there.”
Neither team put points on the board in the third, but Loganville drew within five shortly after the final period got underway.
A blocked punt gave the Red Devils good field position near the 50. Three plays later, Johnson broke free for his second long touchdown of the night -- a 52 yarder through traffic.
Loganville then forced Creek to punt and began another drive. After picking up a couple of first downs, the Red Devils trotted out the punting unit on fourth and nine from their own 45. But rather than punt the ball away, Loganville tried some trickery. The fake punt did not fool Creek’s Isaiah Johnson. He made the game saving tackle with 7:22 left to play.
Neal burst down the visitor’s sideline on the very next snap for what looked like a 50 yard score, but the run was called back on a Creek penalty.
On first and 15, Neal took the handoff again. This time he attacked the right side and broke a 53 yard run to the one yard line. Storm Johnson caught Neal from behind to prevent the touchdown, but Johnson’s effort only delayed the inevitable. Spalding scored on the ensuing play.
Creek’s final score came on the heels of Isaiah Johnson’s interception.
Neal finished with 143 yards on 22 carries. Bell posted outstanding numbers in his playoff debut -- completing 12 of 22 passes for 151 yards and a pair of scores.
The Patriots will host defending the state champs from Tucker in round two Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Check back Thursday for a complete preview of this week’s playoff contest.
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