Mallard Creek exacts revenge on Hough, 44-0, in NC 4AA playoffs
Seven weeks ago, Hough High did what no team had been able to do in seven years – beat Mallard Creek in a conference game.
But on Friday night, the Mavericks kept another streak alive, dominating the Huskies in a 44-0 rout in the third round of the N.C. 4AA playoffs.
“We were looking forward to this game,” Mallard Creek coach Mike Palmieri said. “This is our time of the year. It takes a championship team to come out here and play like this, and we did.”
Mallard Creek – No. 5 in the Observer’s Sweet 16 and the sixth seed in the 4AA Western bracket – advances to its third consecutive 4AA Western Regional final.
The last two times the Mavericks made it to the regional final, they won – and went on to claim the 4AA state championship.
“We’re all hungry for another ring,” Mallard Creek quarterback James Smith said. “That’s why we want this as much as we do. That’s what we preach in the weight room every Saturday.”
Thanks to Smith’s efforts Friday, the Mavericks are in a good position to get that third ring.
Smith accounted for 311 yards total offense and five touchdowns against second-seeded Hough, which had beaten Mallard Creek 31-28 on Oct. 9 to end its 43-game conference winning streak.
Smith threw for 203 yards and four touchdowns on a near-perfect 12 of 13 passing game, and ran for 108 yards and a score as the Mavericks led 23-0 at the half.
Corey Sutton, who transferred from Hough to Mallard Creek over the summer, and Thaddeus Moss each had two touchdown receptions for Mallard Creek. Chancery Bowman added 104 rushing yards, and Darnell Walker ran for 78 yards and a score.
Quote: “The first time we played them, they just outplayed us and outcoached us, and we took that personal. But the kids wouldn’t be denied tonight.” -- Palmieri.
Records: Mallard Creek 12-2, Hough 12-2.
Worth mentioning: Moss – the son for former NFL wide receiver Randy Moss – had the play of the game, coming up with a leaping one-handed grab for his second touchdown catch of the game. … The numbers tell the story of Friday’s game: Mallard Creek finished with 25 first downs and 538 yards total offense while holding Hough to six first downs and 95 yards offense. … Huskies quarterback Jackson Gibbs was 6 of 15 passing for 57 yards with an interception, and he was sacked twice. The second sack, late in the third quarter, left Gibbs with an injured right arm, with backup quarterback Nathan Allen finishing the game.
What's Next: Mallard Creek now takes on top-seeded East Forsyth for the N.C. 4AA Western Regional title next Friday in Kernersville. The undefeated Eagles (14-0) advanced by beating fifth-seeded West Forsyth 31-6 on Friday.
This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 11:39 PM with the headline "Mallard Creek exacts revenge on Hough, 44-0, in NC 4AA playoffs."