CANTON — Coming off its first state playoff win in over a decade Habersham Central football entered Friday's second round showdown at Creekview with both belief and determination to keep its postseason rolling.
And for large parts of Friday's Class 6A battle, the Raiders offense rolled all over the Grizzlies. Yet Creekview's own attack kept pace, while its defense got in on the act late to secure a 65-48 win over Habersham in Canton.
The two teams combined for 1,235 total yards -- including a record night passing for Habersham quarterback Tre Luttrell, whose 431 yards set a new Raiders record.
Yet an onside kick return for a touchdown and an interception return for a score helped Creekview stay undefeated and bring Habersham Central's season to a close, as the Grizzlies put up 14 unanswered and pull away from a 51-48 advantage with 5:12 remaining.
Luttrell finished the game 30 of 45 through the air with three touchdowns and two interceptions, closing his varsity career in impressive fashion while also rushing for 57 yards and a score. Tracey Lowery also rushed 22 times for 163 yards and two scores, while Donovan Curry hauled in 10 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns.
Habersham totaled a whopping 727 yards and had Creekview on the ropes when Luttrell scored from a yard out with 5:12 remaining to pull within 51-48.
Creekview righted itself in quick -- and heady -- fashion, however, making the most of a bouncing onside kickoff attempt to scoop and score on the return and a 57-48 lead (missing the extra point). The Grizzlies then sealed the victory with an interception return for a touchdown on Habersham's next possession.
It proved a gut-wrenching end to a season that saw Habersham reach its first state playoff bracket since 2011 and win its first postseason contest since 2007. The Raiders battled from the start, scoring 13 straight to take a 13-6 first quarter lead but then watched the Grizzlies regain a 41-20 halftime lead.
Habersham reeled off a 28-10 scoring advantage through the third quarter and midway through the fourth to get right back into the contest -- but it was not to be, as the Raiders season came to an end.
