Spring Creek senior Rylan Kornegay (4) hauls in a first-half touchdown pass against Union defensive back Kristofer Ramirez during their non-conference game Friday evening in “The Swamp.” (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Spring Creek, unwittingly, experienced irony at its best on the football field Friday evening.
You see, the Gators’ last euphoric triumph occurred in mid-September of 2022 — a triple-overtime decision over Union.
One week later, they started a 17-game slide.
A new paradox occurred on this night against none other than Union. Darius “DJ” Deal threw for a career-high six touchdown passes and rushed for two more during a 54-34 romp in “The Swamp.”
Deal’s TD tosses dropped into the sure-handed paws of Brennan Chambers (three catches), Rylan Kornegay (two catches) and Darrius Edwards. Deal’s scoring runs covered 1 and 57 yards.
“I didn’t even realize that, am in shock right now … so happy for the kid,” SC head coach Ron Wise said. “Darius, I’m excited for him and impressed with the receiving corps.”
One week ago, Chambers and Deal hooked up for three touchdowns against Hobbton.
The Spartans’ defense found no solution for the passing duo, nor could they slow down Malachi Moore. The electric freshman took initial hits, but used his lower-body strength to shake off tacklers and grinded out additional yardage.
Two long plays by Moore set up scores for Deal.
“A freshman running back is who not playing like a freshman, just wish Malachi could have made it into the end zone,” Wise said.
Deadlocked at 26-26 after two quarters, Spring Creek’s coaching staff reminded them during halftime about last week’s third-quarter letdown against Hobbton.
The Gators took the field in business-like fashion.
Union received the kickoff and punted.
Less than a minute later, Deal found a wide-open Kornegay down the right sideline. The senior had beaten his defender by nearly 10 yards and raced untouched 65 yards to the end zone.
Kamron McDaniel intercepted Union on its next possession. Deal and Chambers turned the miscue into a 33-yard scoring pass.
“[We] told them we’ve just got to pull it together, this is our time,” Wise said. “I think we showed some discipline. I think everybody chipped in, finally came together … coaching staff, players. They stayed [locked] in and they understood the mission.
“The mission was to get the win.”
Deal galloped 57 yards to the end zone in the fourth quarter.
A Spartan fumble recovery set up the Gators’ final score — Edwards’ six-yard pass from Deal with four-plus minutes left in regulation. Deal’s six TD passes are believed to be the most in a single game since Landon Smothers threw four against Lejeune in 2016.
Smothers threw for 20 touchdowns that year.
Adrenaline flowing from the win, Wise cautioned his team has plenty of work to do in practice.
“Everything wasn’t clicking [tonight] like it should have been, but it’s coming along,” Wise said. “It’s a good win. Now, we’re going to prepare for Lejeune. We’ve got a couple of guys that’s banged up, but we’ll figure it out [in practice].”
The Gators and Devilpups will complete their suspended game next Friday in Seven Springs. Spring Creek led 6-0 with nine minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Kickoff is 7 p.m.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
SC — Chambers 43 pass from Deal (run failed), 10:32
U — Cromartie 66 kickoff return (run failed), 10:21
SC — Deal 1 run (run failed), 4:13
U — Cromartie 65 kickoff return (kick good), 3:58
U — Malahias 21 INT (kick good), 3:30
SC — Chambers 80 pass from Deal (run good), 3:17
Second Quarter
SC — Kornegay 35 pass from Deal (run failed), 9:16
U — Malahias 21 run (run failed), 2:26
Third Quarter
SC — Kornegay 65 pass from Deal (run failed), 9:16
SC — Chambers 33 pass from Deal (pass failed), 2:55
U — Grimaldo 8 run (Cromartie run), 0:36.6
Fourth Quarter
SC — Deal 57 run (Edwards pass from Deal), 11:31
SC — Edwards 6 pass from Deal (pass failed), 4:44
