On Friday, the Georgia High School Association football state championship tournament continued and in the Class 4A bracket, the Creekside Seminoles hosted the Kell Longhorns and earned a trip back to Mercedes Benz Stadium for the second year in a row after picking up the 35-6 win over Kell.
"Every since we left with a bad taste in our mouth, this has been the goal, get back and finish the drill," Creekside head coach, Maurice Dixon said after the Seminoles win, which began on their opening drive which lasted six plays and ended with quarterback, Cayden Benson, who finished with three passing touchdowns, connecting with Eric Paul for a 35-yard touchdown pass helping Creekside take an early 7-0 lead.
And while the Seminoles' offense was off to a quick start, defensively, Creekside's presence was being felt as they forced Kell to punt on the opening drive of the game and then forced a turnover on downs on the Longhorns second possession, which also saw Kell lose star running back, Moonie Gipson, who suffered an apparent lower leg injury and did not return to the game.
"It doesn't matter the packaging, it doesn't matter the year, we're still going to play Creekside football, that's defensive football and running the football. That's going to win games," Dixon said of the Seminoles' defense which finished with several sacks and did not allow a touchdown in Friday's matchup.
Offensively, Creekside's second score of the night was Benson's second touchdown pass to Amani Hill, which led to the Seminoles taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and with time winding down in the second period of play, a Cedric Kelly rushing touchdown would give Creekside a 21-3 lead at halftime. In the third quarter, Benson's third touchdown pass would end up in the hands of Hill for the second time of the night and a Gary Walker rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter would lead to Creekside's 35-6 win.
"Like I told you at the beginning of the year, we go as he goes. As long as he takes what they give us and don't play hero ball, we're the best team in the state," Dixon said of the Seminoles offense being led by Benson. The Seminoles will face Benedictine for the GHSA 4A championship on Monday, December 15.