Mallard Creek’s defense comes up with big performance to knock off No. 2 Hough
Mallard Creek coach Kennedy Tinsley knew that his team would have to have a big defensive performance Friday night to upset Hough, which was then the No. 2 team in The Observer’s Sweet 16.
Hough was averaging 37 points per game, but Tinsley knew two things: His defense was really good and his team had a bond that was really strong.
Those things combined for a 13-9 upset win Friday — the biggest victory the Mavericks (6-2) have had in some time.
“The football part is great,” Tinsley said, “but when you see these guys grow closer together, doing the right things, making good decisions, that is just played out through the football.”
The Mavericks defense came into the game allowing 17 points per outing. And other than nationally ranked Buford (Ga.), no team had scored more than 16 on Mallard Creek all season.
Tinsley’s defense was able to generate pressure from its defensive line, giving Husky quarterback and UNC commit Tad Hudson very little time to throw the ball. Hough managed two field goals early for a 6-0 lead.
An interception returned for a touchdown from Mallard Creek defensive lineman Miles Chambers, taken in from 6 yards out, gave the Mavericks their first lead of the game 7-6 in the second half.
After a few series and another Husky field goal, the Mavericks once again needed a big play to stymie the Hough offense. Hudson dropped back and ripped a pass over the middle that was batted up in the air by the Mavericks defensive line. Mallard Creek’s Elijah McCoy did the rest, taking the ball 68 yards for the second pick-six of the game.
This one proved to be the game-winner, and maybe a season-changer. Mallard Creek has to be considered a state title contender now.
The Mavericks have not allowed double-digit scoring by an opponent since Sept. 9 against South Carolina power Gaffney, a game the Mavericks won 20-13.
Coach Tinsley was quick to credit the defensive staff, especially defensive coordinator Damon Coiro.
“Coach Coiro spends hours upon hours coming up with our game plan,” Tinsley said. “We wanted to get the football back so we could keep giving ourselves a chance. They really took it to the next level by scoring on those opportunities. All of that comes from practice. Those guys have definitely been doing it.”
Coiro was proud almost beyond words of his team and the effort that they put on the field. And despite being a little hoarse from the cold — and probably from yelling too — he described the work that players and coaches put in to make sure they are ready to win every week.
“We have fought for two years to create an identity here,” Coiro said. “The kids believe in what they are doing. They believe in the preparation aspect, and they believe in each other which is so important.”
Coiro emphasized that, yes they develop the kids on the football field, but it is much more than that.
“We pride ourselves on not just the development of the team, but the development of the kids as well,” Coiro said. “And what is different from a lot of other teams around is that we attack their hearts before anything else. Since we are able to attack their hearts before anything else, it means a little bit more.”
▪ Mallard Creek has just two games left in the regular season. The Mavericks sit alone at the top of their conference with the win over Hough. They have Chambers to close out the season in a game that could have conference champion implications.
