Swansboro overpowers Spring Creek

By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 18, 2010 11:17 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Penalties, turnovers and injuries each played a role in Spring Creek's 34-7 home loss to Swansboro on Friday night.

The Gators fell behind early before making a comeback late in the first half, only to see the momentum evaporate with a costly interception.

On his team's second possession, Swansboro quarterback Chris Pockette took the opening snap around the right end of the offensive line and raced 52 yards for a touchdown. After a failed Spring Creek drive, the Pirates punched in a second score on a nine-yard scamper by Pockette.

Trailing 13-0, the Gators bounced back early in the second quarter when D.J. Rossell broke a 40-yard run that set up a four-yard score by quarterback Ricky Brayboy.

Swansboro immediately drove the ball down the field and pulled ahead 20-7 on an eight-yard run by Bobby Mearls.

The offensive explosion continued as the Gators moved the ball with ease on their next possession. With Rossell and Brayboy rotating at quarterback, the Gators worked their way inside the Pirates' 10-yard line. On third-and-5, Brayboy attempted to thread a ball to a receiver in the end zone.

A Pirate defender intercepted the pass at the goal line.

"That is the second year in a row (against Swansboro) we have had seven points on the board and looked close to adding another seven, and we've turned the ball over," said Spring Creek head coach Aaron Sanders. "That allowed them to kill the clock and get into the half up 20-7."

The Gators' offense did not fare as well in the second half.

Brayboy was taken to the hospital with a laceration on his non-throwing hand and did not return. Several other players, including Rossell, went down at different times due to cramping.

After the home team's first drive stalled inside their own five-yard line, a short punt set Swansboro up with a short field. Seven plays later, the Pirates were back in the end zone on an eight-yard run by Joey Lyons. Corte Dixon capped the scoring on the Pirates' next drive with a six-yard run.

Pockette led the Pirate attack with 122 yards rushing and 38 yards passing.

Brayboy paced the Gators with 65 yards on the ground and 16 through the air. Rossell added 52 yards rushing and 36 passing. Will Janning snagged three catches for 45 yards.

Spring Creek (0-5 overall) seeks its first win of the season at Dixon next. The Gators topped the Bulldogs last season, and ended -- at the time -- the state's longest losing streak at 32 games.

"I hope that knowing how tough we played against them last season will give my guys some confidence," said Sanders. "I want to see improvement and confidence is a big part of that."