Big plays aid Mullins victory over Creek Bridge

After playing three weeks on the road, the Mullins Auctioneers returned home for a game against neighbor Creek Bridge this past Friday night.

The Aucs got enough big plays early in the game to cruise to a 33-0 victory.

On the squad’s first possession, running back JimDonovan Reaves carved up the defense for a 43-yard touchdown run at the 9:32 mark in the first quarter. Cody Buffkin’s PAT made it 7-0 score.

Later in the quarter freshman Royal Purnell quickly racked up three tackles and came away with an interception to halt a Creek Bridge drive deep into the redzone.

Mullins took over at their own 29-yard line and marched downfield with runs from Reaves and quarterback B.J. Crawford. Aucs senior running back George Page utilized his speed to break for a 39-yard touchdown run up the middle of the defense. Cody Buffkin’s PAT gave Mullins a 14-0 advantage with 1:59 remaining in the quarter.

Reaves and Page got their work in early in the game combining for 121 yards and two touchdowns in the opening quarter.

Senior defensive lineman Kendel Nance stifled a fourth down conversion to give the Aucs the ball near midfield to start the second quarter. At the 10:07 mark, Crawford scrambled out of the pocket to complete a short pass to Josh James who blew by defenders after the catch for a 58-yard touchdown. Buffkin added another PAT to set the score at 21-0.

Creek Bridge continued to move the ball on offense but, again the Aucs defense made the plays when needed, getting two big stops from Charles Lacey and Tracy Dewitt.

Mullins took possession at their own 36-yard line with 6:30 remaining in the half.

It didn’t take long as Crawford raced down the sideline on the option keeper resulting in a 50-yard touchdown run to give Mullins a 27-0 advantage.

Creek Bridge quarterback Rakeem Williams attempted to engineer a late scoring drive following up a six-yard run from Timothy Grant with 30-yard pass to the Aucs 15-yard line. However, Timmy Johnson ended the drive with a sack on fourth down.

Williams was sharp throwing the football, passing for 131 yards and connecting with receiver Juwuan McClellan for 53 yards.

The Aucs defense made the difference with Shemel Hemingway leading the charge with five tackles for loss along with nine tackles from Timmy Johnson along with a forced fumble.

Aucs lineman Avery Grant started off the second half with two consecutive tackles in the backfield to force a punt. Fullback Saquan Washington controlled the tempo with four carries for 32-yards on a long drive punctuated with five-yard touchdown run for the Aucs’ final score. Washington rushed for 66 yards in the game. Cornerback Cedric Timmons held off the Warriors’ final scoring attempt, breaking up a pass in the endzone. Lacey would later recover a fumble inside the Aucs 10-yard line.

Creek Bridge Head coach Al Calcutt said the close losses to start the season have the team’s confidence low but the squad has to execute on special teams and defense.

“I still think we’re going to improve and I have total confidence in our team,” he said, adding that the next five games will be critical.

Meanwhile, Mullins tries to move forward in region play despite injuries. “We work with the game plan and executed,” assistant coach Greg Hill said. “Our offense is coming along good and our quarterback is getting better at making the correct reads to make plays,” he said.

Assistant coach on the defensive end John Williams said the squad is playing better with experience and playing more physical. “We got a lot of young kids making plays now,” he said.
Mullins hits the road this week to take on region foe Cheraw. Creek Bridge will travel to take on Hemingway.