Deep Creek starts fast, uses defensive stops late to top Grassfield in opener
CHESAPEAKE — With a flick of the wrist, the magic of high school football returned.
After more than a year without the gridiron, Deep Creek and Grassfield took the field at Deep Creek Middle on Monday to open the season, and the No. 12 Hornets didn’t take long to stock the highlight tape.
Quarterback Anthony Barnes sidestepped a leaping defender, rolled left and flung a 46-yard touchdown strike to Lamonte Wilson on the game’s opening drive.
Football was back in the 757.
Deep Creek beat Grassfield 14-6 as the Hornets’ defense held Grassfield to just 87 yards.
“It was great,” Deep Creek coach Andre Twine said. “We expected a nasty game because we haven’t been on the field — no scrimmage, no things like that — so we expected that, but we came out with the win, the guys played hard and we got some goal-line stops.”
After Deep Creek’s defense forced a three-and-out on Grassfield’s opening drive, Barnes continued his brilliant opening act with a 54-yard touchdown pass to Josh Jack.
“Pure athlete,” Twine said of Barnes, who finished 7 of 12 for 131 yards passing and 35 yards rushing. “The guy played hard. He’s one of the top athletes on our team.”
Barnes also intercepted a pass in the end zone in the fourth quarter to halt a Grassfield comeback.
Elijah Bluford and Madison Davis combined for 71 yards rushing for Deep Creek, which had 225 total yards on offense. The Hornets also committed 12 penalties for 84 yards.
The Grizzlies had plenty of chances,
starting many drives inside Deep Creek territory, but the Hornets clamped down when they needed to, whether it was a third-down sack by Archie Hill, a fumble recovery by Jaylen Arnold or a second interception by Hill.
“We knew our defense could play well against their offense, and we did tonight,” Twine said.
Grassfield did cash in one drive that started in Deep Creek territory when Joseph Bracey scored a 3-yard touchdown midway through the third quarter.
But the Hornets’ defensive front provided too much pressure for the Grizzlies to overcome.
“First game, rival, new field, new stadium look, new fieldhouse. It was emotional for the guys,” Twine said, “but we got the win, so we’ll watch the film tomorrow and get ready to go.”