LIVE Updates - Deep Creek (4-0) at Indian River (4-0)

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This place is packed! We've got a great atmosphere for this Southeastern District showdown between the visiting Deep Creek Hornets and host Indian River Braves.

Both have scored 145 points coming in, while Deep Creek has given up just seven points on the year (three shutouts in a row). Indian River has allowed just 22 on the season.

Buckle up for this battle and we'll have updates here and through my Twitter feed at @ hatfieldsports

 

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That does wonders for the confidence of the Deep Creek defense to stop Indian River with the Braves beginning to drive. Good field position for the Hornets to begin, too.

 

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Deep Creek punts it away and Indian River will have it at their own 13 with 7:58 to go in the first quarter. Still scoreless.

 

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Until Deep Creek stops it cold, Braves Head Coach Glenwood Ferebee and his brother Marcus - their OC - know that this can wear the Hornets defense down and open up the big play-action strike.

 

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The key play on that drive for Indian River was a 3rd & 8 completion from QB Rasheen Brooks to De'Sean Cromwell, where Cromwell did an excellent job to come back to the pass and make the reception. PAT was no good. Running game working great for Indian River thus far.

 

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Deep Creek goes 3 and out. Ben Smiley and that Indian River defensive line is wrecking the Deep Creek offense early on, can the Hornets adjust and counter?

 

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With 27 seconds left in the opening period, Indian River has out-gained 103 to minus 3. The Braves have all but 25 of their yards on the ground through 15 carries. Through the air, QB Rasheen Brooks is 3 of 4 with 25 yards. Both of Deep Creek's pass attempts fell incomplete.

 

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De'Sean Cromwell the unsung hero for Indian River to this point - both of his catches for 21 yards came on third and fourth down to extend scoring drives.

 

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And suddenly, just like that, Deep Creek is in the Indian River red zone, at the Braves 19-yard line. Definitely need some points out of this series here.

 

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Not sure why Indian River opted for the short kickoff, but Deep Creek took advantage and sliced into the lead. Jones scores on a zone read / option QB keeper play.

 

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Brooks' mobility kept that play alive and made it possible. Hornets just whistled for their fifth penalty to move Indian River closer.

 

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Second straight drive the Braves converted a fourth down to keep it alive.

 

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Smiley is certainly at or near the top of defensive line prospects in the Class of 2019 in the state.

 

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1:43 to go 2ndQ - Indian River 19, Deep Creek 7

Nashun Overton has rushed for 102 yards on 20 carries. Deep Creek sophomore lineman Zion Saleem being helped off after the last play.

Indian River's offensive line - consisting of (from left to right) of junior Damari Owens, senior Drew Walton, junior Phillip Tonsel-White, sophomore Romelv Savinon and senior Tre'Jon Hughes - has been excellent. They've been especially sound on the interior to give Overton enough wiggle room to burst through for yardage.

 

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Final play of the first half produces the game's lone turnover to this point.

Some numbers coming in a bit...

 

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Ceremony taking place for former Indian River Principal James Frye, who the Braves are naming the stadium after - James L. Frye Stadium.

Let's go over some half-time numbers...

Indian River 19:
Nashun Overton - 20Car. 102Yds; 2Rec. 15Yds.
Rasheen Brooks - 5-8 for 67Yds; TD run
Ricardo Ray - 5Car. 34Yds. 2TD's
De'Sean Cromwell - 2Rec. 21Yds.
LaQuan Bryant - 1Rec. 31Yds; INT
Ben Smiley - 4 Tackles, 2.5TFL, PBU

Braves with 30 carries for 122 yards; 5-8 for 67 pass yards = total of 38 plays for 189 yards. 2 penalties for 25 yards, no turnovers, 2-3 on 4th down

Deep Creek 7:
Damion Everette - 8Car. 7Yds.
Tesean Jones - 3-9 for 34Yds. 0-1TD/Int. ratio; 1Car. 7Yds. TD
Antoine Flora - 2Rec. 30Yds.
Jyandra Wyatt - 1Rec. 24Yds.
Antonio Turner - 9 Tackles (7 Solo), 2TFL
Aden Smith - 6 Tackles

Hornets with 9 carries for 14 yards; 3-9 for 54 pass yards = total of 18 plays for 68 yards. 5 penalties for 47 yards, 1 turnover

 

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Dixon, previously a d-lineman, showing those instincts in his position move. This is an Indian River defense under the direction of coordinator Jeff McGowan (former Head Coach at Green Run and Kempsville) that came in with 32 tackles for loss in five contests. They've bottled up the Deep Creek ground game this evening.

Punt time for the Hornets. And it's a 55-yard boomer by Zachary Patterson.

 

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And no, that wasn't the Reggie White you were thinking of who was the Minister of Defense for the Green Bay Packers (and before that with the Philadelphia Eagles and at the University of Tennessee). This one wears purple and white.

 

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New quarterback in for Deep Creek in junior Michael Eure replacing the injured Tesean Jones, the usual starter.

 

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Turner at about 10 or 11 tackles ... and counting.

 

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Ray the fresher back at this point.

Gerrien Christopher with a 13-yard catch for Indian RIver on 3rd and long to give the Braves reason to go for it on 4th down coming up...

 

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Hornets, down 19-13 late in the 3rd quarter, now have momentum on their side.

 

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Direct snap by Antoine Flora nets 27 yards as Deep Creek is now at the Indian River 14-yard line with 24 seconds left in the third period. Indian River's defense needs a stop to preserve this 19-13 lead.

 

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Indian River was held to just 28 yards of offense in the 3rd period after piling up nearly 200 in the first half. Got a good finish in store... buckle up!

 

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Even worse news for Indian River is that Ben Smiley, their defensive stud with at least 4 stops behind the line of scrimmage tonight - is out and being helped off the field.

 

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Everette had just 24 yards on 13 carries before his 41-yard blast.

 

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Braves now punt it away and the Hornets will have decent field position at their own 38 yard line with 6:44 to go. Deep Creek, once down 12, will have a chance to possibly run out the clock or extend the lead.

 

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No Smiley for the Braves, but the Hornets limited in the passing game with a backup in at QB.

 

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Hammond's second clutch catch of the half.

 

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Hammond 10 yard out catch out of bounds to the Creek 39. Overton for 8 to DC 31.

 

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2nd & Goal from the 4 after Ray TD run called back on a motion penalty. Braves burn final time-out with 49 seconds to go. Deep Creek leads 22-19.

 

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Pass incomplete.

3rd & Goal from the Creek 4. 43 seconds to go. Pass is tipped by Creek's Aden Smith.

Time-out Deep Creek as Indian River trots its field goal kicker on (ice the kicker?).

Indian River not going for it, despite 2 of 4 on fourth downs tonight.

 

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What a comeback for first-year Head Coach Andre Twine and his Deep Creek Hornets - down 19-7 and with a backup QB in Michael Eure - to pull out a hard-fought road win in front of a packed house here in Chesapeake. What a ballgame.

 

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