In a game of huge defensive plays, the largest came for Cross Creek at the end.
Seniors Jeff Howard and Mike Lee sacked Washington County quarterback Markeist Warthen on the Razorbacks' 18-yard line with no time remaining to preserve a 7-0 Region 3B-AAA opening victory.
Cross Creek (6-0) extended the longest winning streak in the school's nine-year history to six games.
"The way the fans are feeling, the way the players are feeling, the way everybody is feeling, this is the biggest win in Cross Creek history," Razorbacks coach Scott Tate said.
Washington County fell to 1-5 despite rolling up 259 yards of total offense. Keith Swint gained 116 of the team's 195 rushing yards. Warthen threw for 64 yards on 4-for-11 passing with an interception.
Washington County twice moved the ball inside the red zone. Cross Creek came away with an interception the first time and later held in the fourth quarter.
"Our defense, we bend but we don't break," Howard said.
Cross Creek moved the ball up and down the field to the tune of 18 first downs and 225 rushing yards. The Razorbacks drove within the Golden Hawks' 10-yard line three times and came away empty.
The game remained scoreless until the fourth quarter, when Washington County coach Joel Ingram decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Washington County 18 early in the fourth quarter. Lee, on an inside blitz, stuffed Warthen for a three-yard loss.
"My coaches suggested that one and I was with them," Ingram said. "That's my fault. I shouldn't have let it happen."
"That was kind of stupid going for it on fourth down," Howard said. "The best thing Washington County could've done is punt."
The Golden Hawks didn't punt, and they paid for the decision. On the next play, Patrick Province, who led Cross Creek with 112 yards on 16 carries, split a pair of defenders in the backfield. He broke left and scored inside the left pylon on the 15-yard run with 7:15 remaining. Howard added the extra point.
Washington County got the ball back on its own 46 with 42 seconds remaining. Warthen scrambled for a first down and then threw a 27-yard pass to Charon Heggs, moving the Golden Hawks to the 6-yard line.
After an illegal motion penalty backed up Washington County, Lee and Howard broke through the line and saved the day for Cross Creek.
The Razorbacks suffered a massive blow late in the first half when starting quarterback Keenan Grissett got sacked by Antonio Danzy. Grissett walked off the field with a trainer holding his right arm.
He left in an ambulance with a dislocated right shoulder. He ended the game 5-for-10 passing for 61 yards.
Emory Wilson, last year's quarterback, took over and rushed for 69 yards on 11 carries. He went 1-for-9 passing for 33 yards and an interception.
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com
CROSS CREEK 7, WASH. COUNTY 0
Wash. Co. 0 0 0 0 - 0
Cr. Creek 0 0 0 7 - 7
Fourth Quarter
CC-Patrick Province 15 run (Jeff Howard kick), 7:15
WC CC
First Downs 13 18
Rushes-Yards 39-195 36-225
Passing Yards 64 94
Comp.-Att.-Int. 4-11-1 6-19-1
Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-0
Punts-Yards 4-37.0 4-27.0
Penalties-Yards 9-70 8-70
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-Washington County: Keith Swint 19-116, Charon Heggs 10-70, Brad Jenkins 5-24, Willie Marion 1-5, Markeist Warthen 4-(-20) . Cross Creek: Patrick Province 16-112, Emory Wilson 11-69, Terrance Settle 4-50, Keenan Grissett 4-3, Ashden Lynch 1-1.
PASSING-Washington County: Markeist Warthen 4-11-1 64. Cross Creek: Keenan Grissett 5-10-0 61, Emory Wilson 1-9-1 33.
RECEIVING-Washington County: Charon Heggs 1-29, Brandon Watts 1-16, Antonio Danzy 1-13, Brad Jenkins 1-6. Cross Creek: Pat White 3-42, Terrance Jones 2-40, Emory Wilson 1-12.
Cross Creek 7, Washington County 0
Play of the game: On fourth-and-1 from the Washington County 18, the Golden Hawks rolled the dice. Senior defensive end Mike Lee, on an inside blitz, sacked quarterback Markeist Warthen for a three-yard loss. The Razorbacks scored on the next play.
Why Cross Creek won: Bend-but-don't-break defense. The Razorbacks allowed more than 250 total yards but kept the Golden Hawks out of the end zone.
Why Washington County lost: Offensive miscues. The Golden Hawks drove inside the Cross Creek 10-yard line twice. Both times they were flagged (holding, illegal motion). Each penalty prevented them from scoring
Star of the game: Lee. Cross Creek defender came up big in the fourth quarter with two stops of Warthen in the backfield.
What's next: Washington County (1-5) at Harlem, 7:30 p.m., Friday. Cross Creek (6-0) at Butler, 7:30 p.m., Friday.
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