The score was 14-10 and the varsity football team was in the lead. But toward the end of the fourth quarter, Timber Creek was getting closer to the red zone, and the team needed a big stop to ensure they kept the lead. It was third down and two yards to go as Timber Creek snapped and threw the ball, then defensive back Cruz Salazar stepped in front of the receiver for the interception, sealing the game on Thursday, Sept. 14.
“Our defense did a great job tonight,” quarterback Caden Mitchell said. “They made huge plays and capitalized on a lot of opportunities.”
Salazar was not the only one who made a big play on the defensive side—strong safety Blake Henson also had an interception in the beginning of the third quarter. The team also made multiple turnovers on downs and sacked Timber Creek’s quarterback three times.
The offense stood out during the first half but could not score in the second half. The first half had two touchdowns by Antonio Vann, but the second half concluded by getting to the end zone but never being able to score any points.
“It was a pretty good game all around, but we could have played better offensively in the second half,” Mitchell said.
The team had 460 yards total during the game, with over 300 yards rushing. Mitchell completed 14 out 17 passes and Lewis had most of the receiving yards with running back Porter Williams a close second
“Me and the other running back [Williams] would switch back and forth during our running plays to confuse the defense and it worked,” running back Jalon Lewis said.
Last year, the team won against Timber Creek 10-7 in a very tense game. It came down to the last second when the defense blocked a pass to win the game. This year, it was similar.
“The game was definitely tense and the win versus them is going to have a good effect on our season,” Lewis said.
The team’s record is now 2-1, and they will next face East River on Sept. 22.
“We are starting to see progress and we get better after every game,” Lewis said. “We are going game by game right now, we have had some mistakes but we will work to fix them and be great this season.”
