Spring Creek receiver Brennan Chambers (5) steps over a defender and out-races the other to the end zone during a recent game in “The Swamp.” The Gators fell at Lejeune on Thursday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
CAMP LEJEUNE — Spring Creek’s return trip to complete a game suspended game against Lejeune High School resulted in a 66-44 shootout loss Thursday evening.
Inclement weather suspended the teams’ previous meeting Sept. 6.
Spring Creek led 9-0 with nine minutes left in the first quarter.
“I don’t know if it was the travel, we just came out and played flat,” Gators head football coach Ron Wise said. “We didn’t stick to our game plan. Little injuries here and there … bumps and bruises … things started to get away from us.
“In the fourth [quarter], we put some points on the board to make it a little more respectable.”
Once again, the Darius “DJ” Deal-Brennan Chambers connection filled the highlight reel with big-play moments for the Gators. Deal provided a couple of two-point conversions.
Freshman running back Malachi Moore hit pay dirt for the first time this season.
Meanwhile, the Devilpups countered with their own offensive weapon — the duo of Connor Shea and Andrew Finnerty. Shea tossed four TD passes and rushed for one. Finnerty accounted for four scores.
“We game planned for them, but we got away from it,” Wise said. “We got caught, had a couple of people out of position. Not taking anything away from them. [We] had players out with bumps and bruises that allowed them to move the ball effectively the way they did.
“We tried to do a few things and fell short.”
Spring Creek (1-3 overall) returns home Oct. 4 for homecoming against North Johnston. It’s the Neuse Six 2A Conference opener for both teams.
Kickoff is 7 p.m. in “The Swamp.”
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
