South Forsyth High School

Football: Lead slips away from South

War Eagles fall to 2-4

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CANTON — For the second week in a row, South Forsyth was unable to hold on to a three-point halftime lead.

Key defensive plays made the difference in the second half Friday night, as Creekview eked out a 28-23 win over the War Eagles at The Grizzly Den.

One week after watching a 10-7 lead against Sequoyah slip away in the second half, South (2-4 overall, 2-4 Region 7-AAAA) couldn’t maintain a 17-14 halftime lead against Creekview.

For the Grizzlies (2-5, 2-5), the victory ended a five-game losing streak.

A pair of touchdown saving tackles by Creekview in the second half cost South opportunities to score.

Trailing 21-17 in the third quarter, War Eagles quarterback Jantzen Jeffrey connected with Brandon Fehr (3 receptions, 85 yards receiving) on a pass. Fehr took off and looked clear to score, but Creekview’s Zach Henson made a diving tackle to prevent a touchdown and the War Eagles failed to score on the possession.

The Grizzlies’ second touchdown saving tackle came in the fourth quarter.

Facing a 28-17 deficit, South (2-4, 2-4) was looking to narrow the gap when Jeffrey took off running and looked to have a wide-open field.

But Creekview’s Riley Davis found another gear and caught Jeffrey from behind and, once again, the War Eagles failed to score on the possession.

South eventually added a late fourth quarter score on a one-yard run by Isaiah Williams to get within five points, but the two-point conversion attempted failed, and Creekview’s offense ran out the clock to end the game.

The Grizzlies struck first midway through the opening quarter. A 79-yard drive was highlighted by a 25-yard pass play from Hayden Hall to Davis on third-and-11 that kept the drive alive. Will Kirby scored from 11 yards out two plays later to give the Grizzlies a 7-0 lead.

The War Eagles tied the game when Jeffrey took a quarterback keeper up the middle, broke free to the right and ran 47 yards for a touchdown.

Creekview answered on its next possession. A halfback option started when Hall pitched to Dondrei Hubbard, who found Davis down the right side for a 67-yard touchdown and the 14-7 lead.

However, two turnovers changed the momentum of the first half.

The Grizzlies started their next possession in War Eagles territory with a golden opportunity to extend their lead. Instead, a Hall interception gave the War Eagles the ball in Creekview territory. The War Eagles capitalized on the turnover as Brandon McKee kicked a 27-yard field goal to narrow the deficit to 14-10.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Grizzlies fumbled, giving the War Eagles the ball inside the 20. Two plays later, Jeffrey hit Mike Hovanetz for a touchdown to give South a 17-14 lead. In less than a minute, the War Eagles put 10 points on the board and led at the half.

But the Grizzlies wasted little time getting the lead back in the third quarter. The quarterback to wide receiver connection of Hall and Davis moved the Grizzlies down the field.

They connected on two passes for a total of 42 yards on the drive.

Keith Woods finished the drive with a 10-yard run to give the Grizzlies a 21-17 lead they would not relinquish.

Davis finished with 156 yards receiving and a touchdown. He also grabbed an interception and ran it back 31 yards for a touchdown that gave the Grizzlies their 28-17 lead and proved to be the deciding points.

The War Eagles were led by Jeffrey, who tallied 182 passing yards and 102 rushing yards.

South returns home to host Rome this Friday.