Mallard Creek holds off Butler, 35-30, to advance in NC 4AA playoffs
Mallard Creek quarterback James Smith overcame a pair of early mistakes and led the Mavericks to a 35-30 Class 4AA second-round playoff victory Friday night over old nemesis Butler.
Smith threw for 174 yards and a touchdown and ran for the Mavericks’ decisive score with three minutes left in the game, played at Providence High School.
Two-time defending state champion Mallard Creek, which beat Butler in late August and has played a number of close games with the Bulldogs in recent years, staved off a Butler rally by recovering an attempted Bulldog onside kick in the closing minute of the game.
The victory sends Mallard Creek into a rematch next Friday with Hough, the only North Carolina team to beat the Mavericks this season.
The Mavericks came out of the gate in a hurry, driving 80 yards in four plays for a touchdown less than five minutes into the game. But Mallard Creek’s next three possessions ended with a lost fumble and two interceptions.
“We had faith in LJ,” said Mallard Creek head coach Mike Palmieri, calling Smith by his nickname. “He’s been there before. We knew he’d come through.”
Butler managed to score 10 points off the Mallard Creek mistakes, but the Mustangs took the lead shortly before the half on an 11-yard pass from Smith to tight end Thaddeus Moss.
Butler’s Benny LeMay put the Bulldogs ahead 16-14 with a short touchdown run early in the third quarter, but Mallard Creek took the lerad for good on touchdown runs of 44 yards by Darnell Walker and 10 yards by Moss.
Smith’s 13-yard run for a touchdown with three minutes left gave Mallard Creek a 35-23 lead, but the Bulldogs drove 70 yards in seven plays, scoring on a 33-yard pass from Davis Cheek to LeMay with 32 seconds left.
Butler’s onside kick attempt was recovered by Mallard Creek’s Isaac Hampton, and the Mavericks ran out the clock.
“We thought we’d have an advantage throwing the ball to Moss because of his size,” Palmieri said of the 6-3 receiver, who was several inches taller than Butler’s defensive backs. “We took advantage of that.”
Quote: “We’re looking forward to another chance to play Hough. Heck, we’re happy to be playing another week.” – Mallard Creek head coach Mike Palmieri
Records: Mallard Creek is 11-2. Butler finished 10-3.
Worth mentioning: Butler running back Benny LeMay was held to minus-5 yards rushing in the first half but finished with 50 yards on the ground and a 33-yard touchdown reception in his final high school game … Chancery Bowman rushed for 110 yards for the Mavericks.
What's Next: Mallard Creek travels to Hough in the third round of the 4AA playoffs next Friday. Butler’s season is finished.
This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 12:01 AM with the headline "Mallard Creek holds off Butler, 35-30, to advance in NC 4AA playoffs."