Fox Creek trying to rebound from two consecutive losses ater 5-0 start
Predators trying to reach AAA state playoffs after missing out last season
North Augusta – After starting the season with five straight victories, the Fox Creek High School football team suffered two straight losses, including droppign its Region 4-AAA opener to Neberry 41-14.
Both of the losses did come to teams that were unddefeated, the irst being 21-13 to Orangegburg-Wilkinson. While not happy with the loss, Predators head coach Lemuel Lackey had no issues with his team’s performance.
“The kids played hard on both sides of the ball, and that was for them (O-W) as well,” Lackey said followign the O-W game. “I feel good about the kids. They’ve put in a lot of work, and they’re eager to prove themselves throughout the rest of the season.
“I know we’re going to come in and play for 48 minutes. Last night was a war of attrition, but that’s what happens when you have 22 position players and three kickers on your roster.”
Fox Creek plays host to Keenan on October 17 and will be tryin to right the ship. The Predators went winles in thre ion last year and missed out on the state playoffs.
“Orangeburg-Wilkinson and Newberry are probably the two best teams we’ll see in the regular season,” Lackey said. “We just happen to get them one after the other. They both have SEC (Southeastern Conference) commitments, so we’re getting to see SEC players.”
The Predators’ offense revolves around their running game. They were averaging 291.2 yards per game entering the O-W contest, and junior Bryson Crawford is leading the way.
Crawford was averaging 132.0 yards, having compiled 934 yards and 18touchdowns on 110 carries.
“Bryson is doing a tremendous job for us,” Lackey said. “Last year we didn’t really have a top-tier back. He’s a kid coming over from Midland Valley who can do things in the open field. He’s one of those good players who can make good plays into big plays.”
Quarterback Brandon Wallace is averging 76.9 yards with 538 yards and eight TDs on 44 carries. Nate Owens, who shares time with Wallace behind center, had 26 carries for 173 yards.
Wallace had 30 completions in 50 attempts for 542 yards and four scores, while Owens was 14 of 20 for 259 yards and four TDs. Mekhi Quiller is the leading pass catcher with 15 for 344 yards and four touchdowns.
The defense is led by outside linebacker Noah Gaines and defensive lineman John Truesdell. Gaines had a team high 60 tackles to go with five tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks. Truesdell had 37 tackles, 10 TFLs and six sacks.
Middle linebacker Gabriel Reyes had nine TFLs to go along with 47 tackles. Quiller had a team high five interceptions, while Wallace had two along with 31 tackles and two TFLs playing in the secondary.
