Friday Wrap-Up: Vance shocks No. 20 Mllard Creek on late field goal

A 19-yard field goal from Corey Dennis helped Vance (Charlotte, N.C.) shock No. 20 Mallard Creek (Charlotte, N.C.) in a North Carolina 4AA quarterfinal playoff game on Friday.

Mallard Creek star quarterback Marquise Williams, hobbled by an ankle injury he sustained last week, was largely ineffective. He threw for just 79 yards and missed the entire third quarter due to the injury.

Vance's final drive began at Mallard Creek's 49-yard line with just 2:39 remaining. Running back Larenz Bryant was stopped just short of the goal line, setting up Dennis' dramatic kick.

"When Larenz didn't get it, we knew we wanted to kick," Vance head coach Phil Culicerto told the Charlotte Observer. "We wanted a snap, a hold, a kick, and nothing else."

Alcoa (Tenn.) 55, St. Elizabethton 20

Alcoa (Tenn.) is aptly nicknamed the Tornadoes.

 

The six-time defending Tennessee state 3A champions huffed and puffed and eventually blew away St Elizabethton in a semifinal game on Friday night.

 

According to the Knoxville News, Austin Tallant threw just six passes but four went for touchdowns as Alcoa raced to a 42-0 lead en route to its 42^nd straight victory.

 

Alcoa (14-0) plays Goodpasture (13-1) in next week’s final at Tennessee Tech University. Goodpasture defeated Milan 35-27 in the other semifinal game.

 

See all the Tennessee football brackets here.

 

Three of Tallant’s scoring tosses were to Steven Isom, who scored on plays of 36, 52 and 66 yards. The Tornadoes also had big plays from Vanderbilt Hambrick (a 70-yard punt return for touchdown) and Taharin Tyson (26-yard touchdown run).

 

That gave Alcoa a 42-0 lead before St. Elizabethton (9-4) got on the board on a 47-yard touchdown pass from McKenly Berry, who threw another TD pass to cut the deficit to 49-13.

No. 18 Northwestern (Rock Hill, S.C.) survives Goose Creek (S.C.)
In a true contrast of styles, Northwestern's prolific aerial attack helped it overcome Goose Creek's potent run attack as the Trojans escaped with a 41-34 victory.

Northwestern trailed 13-0 entering the second quarter, but eventually got its offense going thanks to quarterback Justin Worley.

Worley threw three touchdowns and rushed for two to help the Trojans come from behind for the victory.

"Our coaches do a great job of watching and adjusting to the opponent," Worley told the Rock Hill Herald. "Our crowd got fired up after that, and it was just a matter of time before we got going."

No. 12 Phoebus (Hampton, Va.) outlasts Hampton (Va.)
As the adage goes, it's not easy beating the same team twice in one season. Phoebus found this out as it needed a late rally to overcome local rival Hampton 12-7 in the Division 5 playoffs.

Tight end Daquan Romero caught a pass from quarterback Jordan Roby to allow the Phantoms to convert on fourth-and-goal to give Phoebus a 12-7 lead it would never relinquish.

"What a great route," Roby told the Daily Press. "He had the perfect speed, and when he caught it, I said, 'Please get into the end zone.' He made a great play."

In their regular season meeting, Phoenus beat Hampton convincingly, winning 37-12. However, in this game, the Phantoms were plagued by three turnovers, two of which ended drives in the red zone.

No. 9 Mission Viejo (Calif.) holds off Santa Margarita

Dallas Kessman had two fourth-quarter touchdown runs and linebacker Tre Madden did a bit of everything as Mission Viejo recorded a 31-28 Southern Section Pac-5 playoff win over Santa Margarita (Rancho Santa Margarita) at Saddleback College.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Madden, known for his work on defense, was moved to wildcat quarterback and had passing completions of 26, 27 and 22 yards. He also added 73 yards rushing on eight carries.

Kessman's 2-yard touchdown run with 8:51 left, gave Mission Viejo the lead for good, 24-20.

Santa Margarita (9-3) overcame a 17-7 deficit to take a 20-17 lead on a touchdown pass and run by quarterback Adam Young. Kessman, who rushed for 145 yards, put Mission Viejo back in control. But Logan Sweet caught his second TD pass of the game, a 16-yarder, to cut the deficit to 31-28.

Mission Viejo (12-0) then ran out the clock.