Sanders' team avoids errors
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on September 25, 2011 1:52 AM
SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek finally put together a complete game and earned its first win of the 2011 season.
The Gators tallied 205 passing yards and raced past Holly Ridge Dixon 27-14 in each team's final non-conference game of the season Friday evening at "The Swamp."
"We finally did all of the things that it takes to win football games," Gators head coach Aaron Sanders said. "We avoided big plays, we moved the chains on offense and we got off the field on third down on defense."
Spring Creek (1-4 overall) opened the scoring on the Dogs' first possession when free safety Eric Moseley intercepted a pass over the middle and raced 45 yards to the end zone. Anthony Russo tacked on the extra point and gave the Gators a 7-0 lead.
Dixon tied the contest on the opening play of the second quarter when quarterback CD Hansley found receiver Thomas Padgett with a deep throw down the sideline for a touchdown.
"That was our one real mistake on defense," Sanders said. "But it wasn't because we were out of position, our guy just stumbled and that let the receiver run open."
Spring Creek regained the lead just before the half on an 18-yard run by Trey Hammonds. It was the first of three touchdown scampers for Hammonds, who provided the perfect compliment to the Gators' suddenly potent passing game.
After a halftime talk, the Bulldogs raced out of the locker room and quickly tied the game. Shane Phillips took the third play of the third quarter 49 yards to pay dirt and then added the extra point to make the score 14-14.
Spring Creek wasted no time going back on the offensive.
Quarterback James Lancaster hit Moseley with a 55-yard strike that took the ball down to the one-yard line. Hammonds punched it in on the following play and put the Gators ahead for good.
"James Lancaster really played well for us," Sanders said. "He made good decisions, especially in the second half, which allowed us to balance the offense and keep the defense guessing."
Hammonds tacked on a 14-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. Hammonds led the Gators with 70 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Lancaster completed 11 throws for 205 yards and did not have a turnover. Moseley led all Spring Creek receivers with 105 yards on three catches.
The game featured 26 penalties for 205 total yards between the two teams. Dixon finished with four turnovers, while Spring Creek did not record a giveaway.
Spring Creek opens Carolina 1-A Conference play Friday at Princeton.