Rosewood topples Spring Creek

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on October 24, 2009 11:53 PM

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Kevin Lewis just wouldn't give up.

Battling flu-like symptoms throughout the week and getting limited reps in practice, the senior scatback had a homecoming to remember Friday evening.

Lewis scrambled for a career-best 252 yards and accounted for three touchdowns in Rosewood's come-from-behind, 27-15 victory over Spring Creek at Branch Pope Field. The Eagles secured their first Carolina 1-A Conference win of the season and became playoff eligible.

"Kevin was a trooper tonight," said Rosewood head coach Robert Britt. "We were able to get him to practice on Thursday and has been sick since Sunday. He pushed through the illness tonight, and our line got the blocks to give him the chance to run up and down the field like he did."

Lewis found the end zone on runs of 5 and 29 yards, and hauled in a 11-yard scoring strike from sophomore quarterback Taylor McGill. A 5-foot-9, 165-pounder, Lewis touched the ball on 30 of Rosewood's 55 offensive plays.

"They were successful running the belly and guard trap in the first half, and I think they set us up with that because they didn't run it much," said Spring Creek coach Aaron Sanders. "He (Lewis) was running the ball off tackle and we didn't step up ... knew where the ball was going, but we didn't make the play."

A standing-room-only crowd sat in stunned silence as the Gators grabbed a 9-0 lead less than six minutes into the game. A botched snap on a punt resulted in a safety and Johnathan Midgette returned the ensuing kickoff 64 yards for a touchdown.

Ricky Brayboy's second-quarter, 3-yard plunge extended Spring Creek's advantage to 15-0.

"We just shot ourselves in the foot," said Britt.

McGill's 11-yard scoring pass to Lewis capped a 57-yard drive in the second quarter. Jyhkia Applewhite's 10-yard romp trimmed the deficit to 15-13 late in the third quarter.

Lewis' first rushing touchdown capped a 96-yard, 5 1/2-minute possession in the fourth quarter. Lewis had nine carries during the 11-play drive.

"That long touchdown drive knocked some wind out of our sail," said Sanders. "You have to give credit to Rosewood's line and their backs. They had holes to run through. When you make it through the first level untouched, you're going to be able to do a little something."

Lewis completed the Eagles' comeback with a 29-yard touchdown run. Rosewood rose to 3-6 overall, while Spring Creek (1-8) suffered its 15th consecutive defeat against league opposition since 2006.

The Eagles improved to 8-1 all-time against the Gators, who launched their varsity program in 2001.

"My guys played hard, but Rosewood played harder in the second half," said Sanders.