Gators head to Tarboro with strongest offensive weapon

By Andrew Stevens
Published in Sports on November 14, 2013 1:48 PM

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astevens@newsargus.com

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek is faced with the task of trying to slay a giant this week.

At least the Gators will have their biggest weapon.

Spring Creek head coach Aaron Sanders confirmed Tuesday that junior quarterback Tre Hammonds is eligible to play at Tarboro in the first round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-AA state playoffs Friday evening.

Hammonds was disqualified in the second half of the Gators' 41-14 loss to North Duplin last week. Sanders never received an explanation from the head official. Had Hammonds been ejected, he would have sat out against the Vikings.

"Ideally, any ejection/disqualification should be reported to the head coach," said Mark Dreibelbis, supervisor of officials for the NCHSAA. "Sometimes this may not be available, or the opportunity may not present itself. Or, the emotion of the situation does not allow the official to give this to the coach."

The report filed by the official who disqualified Hammonds said that he "ran to a defenseless player, slammed into his back and knocked him to the ground."

Spring Creek (3-8 overall) is a different team with Hammonds. He has rushed for 800 yards and six touchdowns, and thrown for another 497 yards and seven TDs.

Hammonds' athleticism and ability to make plays with both his feet and arm can put stress on an opposing defense.

"He definitely is a weapon for our team," Sanders said. "You ask any opposing coach one of the things that they have to prepare for when they play us and he's the first one they mention by name. It's been that way for two years."

Tarboro is a daunting task for Sanders and his staff. The Vikings' straight-T offense averages more than 38 points a game and has outscored their opponents 423-107 this season.

Running back Radja Bobbit leads Tarboro's rushing attack with 1,381 yards and 24 TDs. The Vikings have rushed for 3,650 yards and 53 scores this season.

A heavy underdog with 12 seniors, Sanders expects the Gators to play loose with nothing to lose.

"We know that we're not supposed to win that game," Sanders said. "We're going to talk to our kids about relaxing and just going out there and playing. We have several seniors and what better way to go out than playing your very best.

"We'll try to set small goals and see what happens in the end."