HARLEM --- Knowing its destiny was out of his team's control, Cross Creek coach Scott Tate told his players to focus on the job at hand.
The Razorbacks entered Friday night needing help to make the playoffs. But first they had to take care of Harlem.
Cross Creek did its part as junior quarterback Keenan Grissett threw four touchdown passes in a 46-15 win over the Bulldogs.
"I told them to go out and take care of this game," Tate said. "We had no control of any other game in this region. This is the game we had control of."
Cross Creek finished the regular season at 8-2, the best record in school history, but it still needed Thomson to knock off Washington County to make the Class AAA playoffs.
The Bulldogs throttled the Golden Hawks, 34-10, and the Razorbacks advanced to the postseason for the second time in the past three season.
"This is a history-making moment," Grissett said. "We're going to go celebrate now. Tomorrow morning we're going to watch film. Monday morning we're going to hit it hard at practice."
In his first start since spraining his shoulder three weeks earlier, Grissett threw four interceptions in a loss last week to Thomson. Against Harlem, he went 9-for-13 passing for 231 yards with no picks.
"I just had a bad game last week," Grissett said. "I can't blame it on the shoulder, because I felt good enough to come back. I put that behind me and came out and worked hard in practice. I came out here and performed for my team."
Cross Creek took control from the start. Senior running back Patrick Province scored a pair of first-half touchdowns. Senior receiver/defensive back Emory Wilson hauled in two touchdown receptions and returned an interception 38 yards for another score.
The Razorbacks took advantage of five Harlem turnovers on its first six possessions to mount an early advantage.
"It's kind of hard to step up that many times," Bulldogs coach Jimmie Lewis said.
Harlem quarterback Carlos Beard made his first start of the season at quarterback after suffering a hand injury in the preseason. Beard struggled early, fumbling the snap on the Bulldogs' first two drives.
Reach Chris Gay at (706) 823-3645 or chris.gay@augustachronicle.com.
CROSS CREEK 46, HARLEM 15
PLAY OF THE GAME: Cross Creek's Emory Wilson picked off a Carlos Beard pass and returned it 38 yards down the right sideline for a touchdown, giving the Razorbacks a 20-0 lead.
WHY CROSS CREEK WON: Deep passing attack. Junior quarterback Keenan Grissett connected on three passes of 44 yards or longer to three different receivers.
WHY HARLEM LOST: Turnovers. Five of Harlem's first six possessions ended in turnovers.
STAR OF THE GAME: Grissett. After a rough performance a week ago, Grissett rebounded to go 9-for-13 passing for 231 yards with four touchdowns and no interceptions.
WHAT'S NEXT: Cross Creek (8-2) in Class AAA playoffs; Harlem's (3-7) season is over.
CROSS CREEK 46, HARLEM 15
Cross Creek 7 27 6 7 -- 46
Harlem 0 0 7 8 -- 15
First Quarter
CC--Patrick Province 8 run (Jeff Howard kick), 2:14
Second Quarter
CC--Province 13 pass from Keenan Grissett (Howard kick), 10:49
CC--Emory Wilson 38 interception return (kick failed), 7:44
CC--Jarius Gibson 50 pass from Keenan Grissett (Howard kick), 3:33
CC--Wilson 27 pass from Grissett (Howard kick), :35.9
Third Quarter
CC--Wilson 10 pass from Grissett (kick failed), 5:39
HA--Michael Leverett 16 pass from Carlos Beard (Robert Emory kick), 5:39
Fourth Quarter
HA--Beard 1 run (Ky Arnold pass from Beard), 4:45
CC--Jeff Howard 58 interception return (kick failed), 27.9
CC HA
First Downs 11 6
Rushes-Yards 29-85 29-123
Passing Yards 231 44
Comp.-Att.-Int. 9-14-0 3-8-1
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 5-4
Punts-Yards 2-23 2-25
Penalties-Yards 12-110 2-15
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING--Cross Creek: Patrick Province 16-67, Keenan Grissett 7-(-9), Terrance Settle 4-30, Emory Wilson 2-(-3). Harlem: Carlos Beard 11-49, Travonti Crain 8-33, Seth Hill 7-37, Forrest Christian 1-5, Stephen Hinds 1-3, Darontae Miller 1-(-4).
PASSING-- Cross Creek: Keenan Grissett 9-13-0 231, Emory Wilson 0-1-0. Harlem: Carlos Beard 3-7-1 44, Terry Jenkins 0-1-0 0.
RECEIVING--Cross Creek: Emory Wilson 4-95, Eric Eitson 3-73, Jarius Gibson 1-50, Patrick Province 1-13. Harlem: Michael Leverett 2-40, Terry Jenkins 1-4.
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