AJC
Creekside validates its stature
By
Curtis Bunn | Friday, November 24, 2006, 11:01 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How the Nos. 2 and 3 teams in the state, respectively, end up playing in the second round of the Class AAAA playoffs, in and of itself, calls for a re-examination of the seeding process.
Undefeated and virtually unchallenged all season,
Griffin and
Creekside, ideally, would clash, say, at the Georgia Dome in the semifinals or some other time much deeper in the postseason. But that would be too much like right, huh?
As it was, the two schools that combined for 22 wins and no losses met at Northgate High (another issue for another day), and it was less the challenge expected and more the confirmation of Eric Berry as the premier player in the state and Creekside as a legitimate title contender.
All season, the Seminoles and Berry have made mincemeat of the competition, a lot of it clearly inferior. Friday, against a team considered among the best in the state, the star and the team validated their stature.
?I?ve seen a lot of great players come through, and Eric?s probably the best I?ve ever seen,? coach Kevin Whitley said. ?He?s just unique. In practice, in school, in the game ? he?s great in every way.?
Although a quarterback, Berry has done much of his damage with his uncanny ability to run, picking up huge yardage after breaking tackles. Seldom does a single player bring Berry to the turf.
Friday, however, Berry was just as effective as a passer in his team?s 20-0 victory. On Creekside?s first scoring drive of the game, he completed 3 of 4 passes, including a beautifully thrown fade to Terrance Parks for a 30-yard touchdown.
Before halftime, he rolled left and hit Kayman Sutton for a 20-yard completion, setting up Berry?s 4-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 advantage.
It was 20-0 at the midway point, which spoke loudly to Creekside?s overall team ability. Going against Bobby Rainey, one of the top running backs in Georgia, the Seminoles swarmed him at nearly every turn. To get the ball in his hands more immediately, Rainey was moved to quarterback. Didn?t work. Creekside?s defense was sound, playing containment on the edges the way coaches diagram it. Rainey was forced to the middle of the field, where eager help took him down.
This show of stout defense against an offense that has been potent all season is as much a verification of Creekside?s championship prowess as Berry?s talent. For, no matter what the star does, the team does not shine if the other components do not get it done.
And the Seminoles are getting it done in all facets. The offensive line is physical and tireless. Berry is indefatigable, participating in almost every play Friday night. The difference-maker, however, likely will be their defense. If Friday was an indication, Creekside has a few more games left.
Up front, the Seminoles are big and fast. Their linebackers attack the ball-carrier as if heat-seeking missiles. The cornerbacks shut down receivers and wide runs.
And anchoring it all at safety is Berry, who had a strong hit on Rainey in the third quarter.
Two issues: No kicking game and penalties. The Seminoles had enough infractions Friday to make a coach lose hair, some of them negating big gains. Clean those up, and Creekside?s a terror. In ending Griffin?s season, the Seminoles made the Bears look ordinary, while they themselves looked quite scary.
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