First there was the 35-34 loss in double overtime to Sequoyah that ended on a blocked extra point attempt. Next, courtesy of a Flowery Branch 23-yard field goal with 31 seconds left in the game, came the 20-18 loss to the Falcons. Then, following a touchdown with less than 30 seconds left in the game against West Forsyth, an inadvertent whistle blew on an on-side kick attempt wiping away the dramatic recovery and leading to a 27-24 loss. Finally, last Friday after giving up 34 in the first half, there was the second-half rally that fell 10 points short.
This is how the season started for the tough-luck, 0-4 Creekview Grizzlies, who have led in every game they have played and own an average margin of loss of only four points.
The Grizzlies have faced a tough schedule to start the year. Their first three losses came to opponents boasting a combined record of 11-2. Their fourth loss was to North Hall, which is the defending region 7A-AAA champion and is coming off a trip to the semifinals last season.
Despite the tough schedule and the winless start, the Grizzlies are not out of playoff contention yet. Only one of the team’s four losses has come in region 7A-AAA play (the 34-24 loss to North Hall). Grizzlies head coach Al Morrell is confident in his team’s ability to stay focused and motivated on the way to turning the season around.
“They’re aware that they are playing pretty good football and if they’d have just executed in a couple of areas we could have a different season,” said Morrell after his team started 0-3. “I’ve got eight seniors on defense. They’re staying focused and working hard.”
Morrell knows what it takes to win. The Grizzlies were 9-1 last year playing a non-region schedule and scored an average of more than 39 points per game. His team will have to draw on the memories of last year’s victories in order to gain some momentum for the 2008 season. On offense, Creekview has fallen to an average of 25 points per game. On the defensive slate they have gone from allowing 14 points a game to allowing 28 points each game. Those two-touchdown swings on both sides of the ball have turned easy victories into hard-fought losses against much tougher competition.
The Grizzlies are known for their ability to move the ball on the ground effectively, but Morrell is quick to point out, “We’re fairly balanced. … For example, last year our quarterback threw 19 touchdown passes.”
This year that offensive unit has been stymied by turnovers. And both units have suffered a few mental mistakes. Morrell believes that the key to correcting that trend and turning the season around is simply playing sound football on offense and defense. Cutting down on turnovers will be key in taking pressure off the defense and allowing his offense to excel.
If the Grizzlies can find a way to give Morrell that higher level of execution, they might just find themselves in playoff contention. Five of their six remaining games are region matchups meaning that the most important games of their season are still to come. Creekview’s season is likely to be filled with more close games and tough tests, but with a team that has not lost its focus or motivation after an 0-4 start, the Grizzlies have shown the mental toughness necessary to finish the season well. And in a way, that season is really just getting started.
Lentz can be reached at zlentz@scoreatl.com.
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