4-AA Football Championship: Mallard Creek overpowers Page
Joe Daniels, Sports Director / December 18, 2015
Page Pirate co-captains accept the Class 4-AA State Championship runner-up plaque. (L-R) Madou Diarrassouba (8), Tony Duong (35), William Hardin (72), Doindre Overton (14) and head coach Kevin Gillespie. Photo by Joe Daniels/Carolina Peacemaker
Page quarterback Will Jones was selected Outstanding Offensive Player (left). Photo by Joe Daniels/Carolina Peacemaker
Mallard Creek led 7-0 after one quarter but capitalized on six Page turnovers to score 35 second quarter points. The Mavericks led 42-0 at the half. The second half was played with a running clock because of the 42 point margin. Six “turnovers, 49 points,” said Page coach Kevin Gillespie. “Do the math, You can’t play a middle school team and do that.”
The Mavericks’ defensive and offensive lines dominated both sides of the game, holding the Pirates to minus 29 yards rushing. Page quarterback Will Jones completed just 10 of 20 passes for 146 yards and three interceptions. The (13-4) Pirates leading rusher, junior Javon Leake, was held to minus 1-yard. The Pirates only touchdown came late in the fourth quarter on a Jones to Leake 71 yard touchdown pass.
The Mavericks rolled up 397 yards of offense (225 rushing and 172 yards passing). Mallard Creek wound up 17-0 and won its third consecutive NCHSAA football championship.
