Blog LIVE Blog - Indian River (3-0) at Deep Creek (2-1)

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Greetings on this 85-degree Saturday, the final one of September 2024, from Nathan T. Hardee Stadium in Chesapeke, where the Deep Creek Hornets (2-1) play host to the Indian River Braves (3-0) in a Southeastern District matchup that was moved back a day to the weather from Hurricane Helene.

We'll have updates here on the Blog and via Twitter or 'X' @ hatfieldsports ...

In the meantime, check out the Mini Preview with Predictions here...


Indian River (3-0) at Deep Creek (2-1) . . . Rather quietly, Brandon Carr’s Braves of Indian River are really clicking, following up the double-overtime triumph at Varina with a couple of 53-point thumpings of Lakeland and Hickory. New QB Kam Kirby (38 of 57 for 596 yards, 5-1 TD/Int. ratio) has fit in nicely with RB Ravon Moore (32Car. 280Yds. 6 TD’s) providing that balance to the offense through the running game. Defensively, freshman Kayce Jordan (7 sacks) has quickly developed into a game-changer with seven sacks. Deep Creek, which rallied for a 16-8 win over Grassfield, will try to apply pressure on Kirby with DE Treyvon Little (5 sacks) and control the clock through the running of QB Brehon Cuffee and RB Tayshawn Johnson, who together have 58 carries for 524 yards and 6 TD’s.

Matt Hatfield Says – Indian River 35-14
Coach Ed Young Says – Indian River 30-21

 

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Deep Creek goes 3 & out, losing a total of four yards, with only a positive gain of 2 from RB Tayhshawn Johnson in between the couple of plays that went for negative yardage.

On the very first play, it was the freshman talent off the edge - Kayce Jordan - disrupting things in the backfield.

Deep Creek punts it away and Indain River has its at their own 25 with 9:33 to go in the opening period. Now we get out first look at this Braves offense, headed up by QB Kam Kirby, the transfer from Bayside.

 

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Indian River goes 3 & out on its first offensive possession and it got off to a bad start with QB Kam Kirby hitting WR Tra'veion Slaughter in the flat, who is dropped for a loss of 5 by Ajani Mena and Vernon Whitehurst. Both Whitehurst and Delshawn Matthews were involved on the next couple of stops, gain of +4 and +5 by RB Ravon Moore, the first of which came on a dump off in the flat area.

The Hornets did a nice job there to make it difficult to strike for that big play, but it looks like they are playing off enough that the bubble screen and underneath routes are there if Indian River can utilize them.

The Braves punt it away, so Deep Creek's second offensive series starts at their own 40 with 7:52 showing on the first quarter clock.

 

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Deep Creek doesn't help itself on their second series with a false start penalty. They get the 5 yarsd back through a run for a yard by Tayshawn Johnson, then Ajani Mena hauling in the pass completion from QB Brehon Cuffee. However, a delay of game penalty backs the Hornets up 5 to bring up 3rd & 15.

Cuffee scrambles for 11 yards up to the 46 and that's where the Hornets will punt it away. A superb punt by Cuffee, pinning Indian River at their own 3 with 5:18 to go in the opening stanza.

Coach Andre Twine of Deep Creek is content to play the field position, ball-control type of game and try to keep the score down against this dynamic Braves bunch.

 

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Troyvell Philpott for the Deep Creek defense makes a tackle for loss on QB Kam Kirby, but two plays later, it's Kirby connecting with WR Jason Preston down the near sideline in one-on-one coverage for a dazzling 35-yard hookup.

Preston's grab would make the Top Ten plays of the year from what I've seen to date.

Shortly after the pass completion from Kirby to Marquise Claiborne for 26 yards - and it would've been longer if not for a holding penalty - the Braves commit the game's first turnover. Kirby is drilled by the aforementioned junior in Philpott and senior DB Robert Horton Jr. recovers.

It happened at about the 38-yard line, but a 15-yard penalty on the Hornets means they'll begin this third series at their own 23 with 3:01 to go in the opening frame. Nonetheless, Andre Twine will take that turnover for sure.

 

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After Deep Creek is stoned on a run play on 1st & 10, the Hornets go to the air and it's Trey Voskanyan - an INT machine over the past couple years - adding to his total.

The INT by Voskanyan gives the Braves great field position at the Deep Creek 35 with 3:09 to go in the first quarter.

Ravon Moore runs for +7, followed by a 10-yard gain from WR Tra'veion Slaughter on the pass by QB Kamaari Kirby to put the Braves in the red zone quickly.

Just when Deep Creek thought they got a sack with Delshawn Matthews bringing down Kirby on 2nd & 10 from the 18, the officials call a personal foul / face-mask penalty that moves them half the distance to the 9-yard line. A big blow to the Hornets defense there.

 

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A quick 5-play, 35-yard drive in just under 1:18 gets Brandon Carr's visiting Braves on the board first.

Deep Creek starts its fourth possession at their own 40 with 50.2 seconds left in this opening quarter.

 

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Tayshawn Johnson broke off a run of 10, but after an incomplete pass, the Hornets get halted for no gain on the ground as Malik Avery came up from his linebacker position and got a good whack on the Deep Creek ball carrier.

Is it quite two-down territory for Deep Creek? Perhaps if they get something positive out of this third down, or can draw a penalty on Indian River to get closer to field goal range.

 

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An option read keeper with QB Brehon Cuffee is able to gain 19 yards on 3rd & 5, following an Indian River encroachment penalty, and that has the Hornets almost in the red zone for the first time today at the 21-yard line of the Braves.

What is not good for Deep Creek is that two-way lineman Treyvon Litton, starting I believe at right tackle on the o-line, has to be helped off the field after the play.

Now the Hornets are there with some strong running from Cuffee again, up the middle for 11 down to the 10 of IR.

 

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Multiple hats for the Indian River defense get to the football and the ball carrier to bring up 3rd & Goal from the 10 for Deep Creek's offense. It was a nifty double handoff on the first down play, but the Braves were ready for it and their second level defenders from the linebacker spot didn't over pursue.

Corey Sanderlin, the junior lineman for Indian River that transferred in from Maury after an All-State campaign, has really made his presence felt along the d-line today with three total tackles. He's a key blocker as well, lining up if memory serves me right from the left guard position.

 

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So crucial the Hornets came away with points there after getting in the red zone. It remains a one-possession game.

Indian River doesn't waste time getting in position to score after Tre'vion Slaughter returns the ensuing kickoff about 51 yards to the Deep Creek 33. So it's a golden chance for the Braves to answer back quickly.

 

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Beautiful design and execution by Indian River. They went with an empty five-wide formation - three receivers lined up to the far side - and Deep Creek didn't have safety help quick enough to get to Alexander, an impressive-looking freshman that has racked up 41 yards from scrimmage on his first two touches today.

Kam Kirby is starting to sizzle - - 8 of 10 for 109 yards through the air.

 

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Junior LB Cameron Brooks makes a firm tackle of QB Brehon Cuffe to bring up 4th & 1 for the Deep Creek offense from their own 46, but the Braves end up jumping offsides to give the Hornets a fresh set of downs.

Cuffee, running this offense very deliberately and with poise, is able to allow for some running room to open up and gain 20 yards. They then watch Mikes Jones (will the REAL Mike Jones please stand up?) rumble to the outside for 23 yards down to the Indian River 11.

This Hornets ground attack is looking sharp and producing in a big way when they need it to as the first half winds down.

 

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Love how Brehon Cuffee is attacking this defense on the QB run plays, initially starting his scoring dash by faking the defense out to the left with a subtle move, then ripping back to the right and getting a full head of steam on his way to the end zone.

Given that Indian River gets the ball first in the third quarter, it's an opportunity for the visiting Braves now to end the half with a score and start the second half off with one to gain separation. They'll begin this latest drive at their own 40.

 

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After a 9-yard pass completion from QB Kam Kirby to WR Jason Preston, the Braves look to spread out the Hornets defensively with the air game. Nothing is there, so Kirby takes off and scrambles for 11, plus a 15-yard penalty on Deep Creek moves them close to the red zone at the 25-yard line with 2:33 till half-time.

Deep Creek has been hit with six penalties for 54 yards, allowing the Braves to stay in a rhythm offensively.

 

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Indian River continues to attack the middle of the field with great success as there was once again no safety help for Deep Creek to make it more difficult for the Braves.

Kam Kirby is on his way to potentially a huge day throwing the football. Now, it's up to the defense to not let Deep Creek draw any closer before the break.

 

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Deep Creek begins this latest series at their own 26 with 2:21 to go before the break. Tayshawn Johnson runs for 5 yards, then a pass by QB Brehon Cuffee is tipped over the middle and then hauled in by Ajani Mena for 16 yards, near midfield. It's then Cuffee running for 12, down to the 41-yard line of Indian River.

Indian River is working out of Cover 1 defensively right now, perhaps in part because of the concern of what Cuffee can do with his feet on the move.

After an incomplete pass, a trio of Braves defenders - including lineman Griffin Hendricks - to keep Deep Creek from moving closer. The Hornets will use a time-out with 1:12 to go in the first half.

 

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A couple of nifty grabs by WR Chandler Stevenson for the Deep Creek offense has them moving closer. His first one comes on 3rd & 10 to move the chains. His next one is worth +6 on 2nd & 10. An incomplete pass brings up 4th & 4, where the pocket collapses a bit around QB Brehon Cuffee and throws one towards the back of the end zone that falls incomplete.

Indian River won't take a knee to go to half up 21-10. Instead, with 23.1 seconds to go in the second quarter and at their own 24, they dial up the speed option play, where QB Kam Kirby flows to the outside quickly and pitches it to freshman Andre Alexander, gaining 27 yards to the Deep Creek 49.

Alexander should be getting more touches moving forward as he's averaging nearly 23 yards per attempt / reception in this one and looks like a bona-fide D-1 stud.

Kirby throws just his third incomplete pass of the half on a deep shot near Jason Preston. They'll still get one more look at the end zone with 5 seconds to go in the half.

 

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Right as the half came to a close, WR Jakeyse Graves got super wide open and Kam Kirby just overthrew him by a smidge, otherwise it would've been a 49-yard TD to end the half.

So we've reached the break with Indian River ahead by 11 at 21-10...

 

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Stats at the Half:

Indian River 21:
Kam Kirby - 10-14 for 143Yds. 2-0 TD/Int. ratio
Andre Alexander - 2car. 32Yds; 1Rec. 36Yds. TD
Marquise Claiborne - 2Car. 31Yds; 2Rec. 28Yds.
Ravon Moore - 3Car. 20Yds. TD
Jakeyse Graves - 3Rec. 35Yds. TD
Jason Preston - 1Rec. 35Yds.
Malik Avery - 6 Tackles (3 Solo)
Griffin Hendricks - 6 Tackles (all assisted)
Corey Sanderlin - 5 Tackles, 0.5 TFL

Braves - 24 plays for 240 total yards (10-14 for 143 yards passing; 10 rushes for 97 yards, 1 lost fumble); 5 penalties for 35 yards; 1 turnover

Deep Creek 10:
Brehon Cuffee - 4-10 for 37Yds; 11Car. 81Yds. TD
Tayshawn Johnson - 8Car. 26Yds.
Mike Jones - 2Car. 23Yds; 5 Solo Tackles
Ajani Mena - 2Rec. 20Yds.
Chandler Stevenson - 2Rec. 17Yds.
Vernon Whitehurst - 5 Tackles, 0.5 TFL
Troyvell Philpott - 3 Tackles, TFL

Hornets - 32 plays for 167 yards (4-10 for 37 yards passing, 1 interception; 22 rushes for 130 yards); 6 penalties for 54 yards, 1 turnover

 

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A fast 3-play, 66-yard drive that took all of 1:24 off the clock. Kam Kirby got it started with a 6-yard run, then it was Ravon Moore rushing for 13 yards.

On his TD scamper, Kirby made it look effortless, gliding to the end zone as he found an outside crease and went untouched.

Deep Creek's first offensive possession of the second half begins at their own 32 with 10:31 to go in the third period. Bad news for the Hornets as RB Tayshawn Johnson is down in pain after a short gain. Braves LB Malik Avery came through with a really physical hit. Avery has 7 total tackles on the day and entered with 23 in the previous three wins.

 

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Malik Avery almost gets an INT, breaking up the second down pass. Johnathan Shaw stops QB Brehon Cuffee on the 3rd & 10 run.

Deep Creek punts it away, but after Indian River moves into Deep Creek territory, the Hornets are able to stymie the Braves passing game with a couple of new targets that were in the game offensively.

The Braves punt it away with Kam Kirby on 4th & 10 from the 45 of the Hornets. It goes into the end zone for a touchback.

Deep Creek takes over at their own 20 with 6:32 to go in the third period. Down 18, they absolutely have to piece together a scoring drive to have any hope at a rally in this one.

 

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Indian River's defensive front is crashing down harder against the run and also using one of their standout LB's - Johnny Shaw - to blitz off the edge. He does just that on 3rd & 10, after a couple of runs by the Hornets were sniffed out, and it's QB Brehon Cuffee running away from him for a gain of 12 to midfield. Nice block on the perimeter by WR Chandler Stevenson to help him get free, too.

Can the Hornets finish this off with points though?

 

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To answer that last question in the previous post, no. That's because #6 Trey Voskanyan certainly can make you pay on any pass in his vicinity.

 

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Deep Creek gets stuck offensively and will have to punt it away. Indian River's defense has done a better job this half at taking away what was working for the Hornets, in particular, some of the patient runs by QB Brehon Cuffee.

Indian River goes back to work offensively from their own 16 with 1:58 to go in this thid quarter.

 

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Kam Kirby gained 19 on a QB keeper and then Ravon Moore was able to slip out of multiple tackles on his longest run of the day, putting just a couple yards shy of the 100-yard mark.

Coach Brandon Carr told me before the season he really liked the balance and versatility of his offense going into this season. We're seeing it on full display, recovering exceedingly well from the early lost fumble.

 

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Things are becoming more challenging on offense for Deep Creek as they nearly fumble it away on first down with QB Breon Cuffee, then get held to a minimal gain of about two with Vernon Whitehurst to bring up 3rd & 9 from their own 21 as we begin the fourth quarter.

Deep Creek keeps its on the ground, much to the dismay of some fans that want them to air it out, and they gain just a few with RB Tayshawn Johnson before punting it away.

The Braves, beginning at their own 48, get a couple of yards on the run, then QB Kam Kirby runs himself into trouble and is dumped for a loss of 10 by Troy Philpott on a sack. His next pass is incomplete, deflected by Robert Horton Jr.

Indian River burns a time-out with 9:27 left in regulation before likely punting it away on 4th & 17 from their own 40. Outside of the series where he fumbled when they were on the move and this one, Kirby gets a grade of about an A from me today. He's been excellent.

 

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Deep Creek gets bottled up yet again as Indian River gets the Hornets offense off the field on 4th & 9 from their own 43. They dump QB Brehon Cuffee for a loss of 3 with freshman Andre Alexander, a force today on both sides of the ball with at least 7 tackles (a couple behind the line of scrimmage) from his linebacker spot.

Indian River takes over at the Creek 40 with 7:25 to go in regulation, sensing a touchdown can make this a running clock situation. Kameron Bray runs for 2, followed by a pass completion for a couple yards by Kam Kirby to WR Jason Preston. Kirby then shows his fancy footwork to slide around in the pocket and then dart a 29-yard TD pass to Bray... BUT... offsetting penalties mean they will replay the down.

 

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Running clock now in effect as the Braves have rattled off 35 unanswered since it was 14-10 around the 3 minute mark of the 2nd period.

 

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More to follow later... stay tuned!