Gators show improvement in non-conference defeat

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on September 28, 2008 12:12 AM

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HOLLY RIDGE -- The Spring Creek Gators may have found some footing for their struggling offense as they scored two fourth quarter touchdowns in a 41-14 loss to Dixon on Friday night.

Only five Gators handled the football on offense, a trend that tightened up the team's execution.

"We tried some different things, and spread the ball around the field a little more," said Spring Creek head coach Aaron Sanders. "It looked like the guys are starting to understand what we are trying to do on offense a little bit better."

DeVonte Harris led Spring Creek with 66 yards on 16 carries, and scored both touchdowns.

"DeVonte is learning as we go," said Sanders. "He is gaining confidence, and getting into the end zone a couple times will only help that."

Quarterback Nick Hatem complete 3 of 11 passes for 34 yards.

"He made better decisions tonight," said Sanders. "He scrambled when he had to and even some times when he didn't have to, and his runs really opened up the defense early in the ballgame."

Spring Creek (0-5 overall) travels to Union next week.

"We know we are going to be out-sized in every game we play," said Sanders. "But that means we have to be quicker and we have to be the aggressor as the season goes on."

Spring Creek 0 0 0 14 -- 14

Dixon 7 14 20 0 -- 41

Fourth quarter

SC -- Harris run (kick failed)

SC -- Harris run (Harris run)

SC

First downs 8

Rushes-yds. 26-105

Passing-yds. 34

Total yards 139

C-A-I 3-11-2

Fumbles-lost 1-0

Penalties-yds. 3-15

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Spring Creek -- Antonio Deans 2-13; Nick Hatem 8-26; DeVonte Harris 16-66, 2 TDs.

PASSING -- Spring Creek -- Nick Hatem 3-11-2, 34.

RECEIVING -- Spring Creek -- Ricky Brayboy 3-34.