Creek unlocks offense, but Colts can’t keep up with big-play Sonoraville scores

Published 10:30 pm Friday, September 13, 2024

VARNELL — With both Coahulla Creek and Sonoraville entering Friday’s game at 0-3 overall and 0-1 in Region 7-2A, something had to give.

Sonoraville scored big-play touchdowns, held Coahulla Creek off the board on deep drives and took the first overall and region win 28-7 over the Colts Friday night.

“When you don’t finish drives and you lose the turnover battle and give up a couple of explosive plays, it’s hard to win,” Coahulla Creek head coach Drew Carter said.

Coahulla Creek, which came in without any points on the season, unlocked some offense, moving deep into Sonoraville (1-3, 1-1 Region 7-2A) territory on several drives, but the Colts (0-4, 0-2 Region 7-2A) were only able to convert one of those drives into points.

The Phoenix, meanwhile, were held in check for a lot of the night by the Colt defense, but broke free for big-play scores to build a 21-0 halftime lead.

The first was a 35-yard touchdown pass on the first drive for the Phoenix.

Chaz Pate lofted a pass to a wide open Evan Johnson in the end zone, dropping it in to Johnson with 9:16 left in the first quarter for the first of the quarterback’s two touchdown passes on the night.

Creek took its first drive into Sonoraville territory, but were stopped on fourth and short.

After Sonoraville and Creek exchanged punts, the Phoenix soared in for another big play score.

On the first play of the drive, Jayden Cruz burst up the middle, found a seam and sprinted 60 yards for a touchdown, putting Sonoraville up 14-0 with 2:50 left in the first.

The Colts again rode a promising drive into Sonoraville territory, but quarterback Waelyn Baliles was brought down short on fourth down. Sonoraville extended the lead when Cruz shook free for his second long touchdown run, this one a 44-yarder on fourth and short that made the score 21-0 with 6:15 left before half.

A late-half drive by the Colts reached inside the 20, but a Sonoraville sack pushed them back and a field goal went wide, leaving the score 21-0 at halftime.

After half, the Colts continued moving the ball. A big run from Tyler Douglas followed by a Baliles pass to Wyatt Mann got the Colts to the 7, but a fumble on the next play was scooped up by Sonoraville’s Corben Dixon.

After Creek’s Nathan Guess pounced on a muffed Sonoraville punt return, the wait was finally over for the Colt offense.

With 9:45 left, Baliles found Douglas for a highlight touchdown connection and the first points of the season for the Colts.

Falling to the ground, Douglas reached out with one hand and snagged the first touchdown of the season for Creek on a fourth down, making it 21-7.

Douglas had a great night on both sides for the Colts, leading the team in rushing yards with 75, receiving with 55 and tackles with nine. Baliles finished with 149 passing yards and 38 rushing yards.

“We showed a lot of fight, and that shows the character of our team,” Carter said. “We hadn’t really found an offensive identity, but I think we may have found one tonight.”

After cutting the Sonoraville lead to 14, Creek went for an onside kick, but the ball didn’t go the necessary 10 yards, and Sonoraville took over in time for one last big-play score.

Pate found Langston Butler for a 27-yard touchdown to make it 28-7 with 7:17 left.

Creek had one last drive into Sonoraville territory, but Sonoraville held strong on a fourth down at the 22.

The Phoenix took back the ball and bled the remainder of the clock for the 28-7 win.

Next week, Coahulla Creek hosts a Rockmart team that has won seven consecutive region titles. The Colts play the Yellow Jackets Friday night at 7:30.

Sonoraville will return home to host Murray County next Friday at 7:30 p.m.