MILTON, GA – In front of a packed stadium for the Homecoming pink-out, the Gladiator offense proved to be too much for the Bears. Johns Creek defeated Cambridge 38-20 on Friday, October 12th.
Cambridge (3-5, 3-3 Region 7-6A) held Johns Creek (6-1, 5-0 Region 7-6A) to its lowest point total of the season, but a very talented Gladiator quarterback and fast skill position players made it difficult for the Cambridge defense. Johns Creeks averages nearly 50 points per game. "We are still a few plays away from being in the game with a top 10 team (3rd one we have played this year)," said head coach Craig Bennett. "Our kids played hard, as usual, and I was very proud of them."
Mike Hudson lead the defense with 7 total tackles. The defense even blocked a field goal attempt in the first half.
After a punt return and long touchdown pass, the Gladiators jumped out to a 17-0 lead. Zach Harris connected on a 43-yard fly route with only 11 seconds remaining in the half to pull the score to 17-7. Harris finished with 277 passing yards and two touchdowns.
However, the Gladiators opened up the second half scoring with an 86-yard touchdown pass. Cambridge struck back with an 8-yard touchdown run from Phillip Michael Collins, but the Bears could never pull within a possession.
Bennett believes the team was just a few plays away from making the game extremely close. "We held them on the first drive to a field goal, which most people haven't done that. Then we had them in a 4th and 18, and they scored on us," said Bennett. "When we didn't score on the drive that we got the field goal blocked, that was a huge turning point in the game."
The Cambridge offense spread around a total of 369 yards. Harris completed eight passes to Chandler Jones for 93 yards and a touchdown, and Ridge Polk added five more catches for 75 yards and a score. Nick Owens was the third favorite target with five catches for 68 yards. "This group will fight to the end," said Bennett when asked about continued scoring when behind. "We didn't quit, didn't give in, which is a testament to our boys."
Collins surpassed the century mark yet again with 21 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown. Collins is the surprise player of the year to this point with 838 yards and nine touchdowns. Collins now holds five 100-plus yard games.
Now Cambridge turns to Pope (3-5, 3-3 Region 7-6A) in a game critical to playoff hopes for both teams. "If things turn out a certain way, if we win, we would have a tie breaker over them and Northview," said Bennett. "But all of us have a couple more games that can't be forgotten about."
Bennett emphasized a need to disrupt the Greyhound running game. "They run a very unconventional offense, which allows them to be successful in the run game," said Bennett. "We have to get them behind the chains early and get them off schedule."
The Bears will face Pope at home on Friday, October 19th. The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
Go Bears!
article by Jack Sadighian
