Mallard Creek edges Greensboro Page in low-scoring affair

A fourth quarter which began with disaster ended in one of Mallard Creek’s more unlikely playoff victories, a grinding 9-5 home victory over Greensboro Page in a 4AA West Region semifinal game Friday night.

A 57-yard pass from quarterback Jadyn Washington to receiver Knowledge Gainey with 2 minutes, 52 seconds to play provided the game’s only touchdown and the Mavericks survived a last-minute drive by the Pirates to move on.

Mallard Creek clung to a 3-2 lead after three quarters, but lost the ball on a fumble by Melvin Davis early in the fourth and then put the Pirates in position for a go-ahead field goal with a pass interference penalty.

Records: Greensboro Page 11-2; Mallard Creek 13-0

Three who mattered

Knowledge Gainey, Mallard Creek: Caught five passes for 125 yards, including a nifty catch-and-run on the game-winner.

Mallard Creek defense: Came up big many times on a night when both offenses struggled. Limited Page to 99 total yards. Latron Williams blocked a punt in the fourth quarter.

Thomas Murray, Page: Senior kicker, who had come up short on a 33-yard attempt in the second quarter, gave his team its only lead with a 39-yarder with 11 minutes to play.

Worth mentioning

▪ The Mavericks were hampered by 10 penalties for 90 yards, and though Page was penalized eight times for 55 yards, they hurt much more. Two second-half touchdowns, including what looked liked it might be a game-winner in Javondre Paige’s 35-yard scoring toss to Cody King with 1:13 to play, were called back.

What's next

Greensboro Page’s season is concluded; Mallard Creek hosts Hough at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the 4AA regional championship game.

This story was originally published November 24, 2017 at 10:44 PM with the headline "Mallard Creek edges Greensboro Page in low-scoring affair."