Sandy Creek defeats Banneker, wins region

By Glennis Curry

For the AJC

Sandy Creek stuffed a previously potent Banneker offense, and running back Raijon Neal scored three rushing touchdowns to give the Patriots their second Region 5-AAAA title in two years.

Neal, a Mississippi State commitment, ran for 83 yards in the 21-9 win at The Battlefield in Tyrone, and the third-ranked Patriots claimed their fourth region title.

Banneker (7-3, 5-2 in Region 5-AAAA) found itself in the region championship game after Villa Rica, the previous Division B leader, lost in consecutive weeks to Mays and Tri-Cities. At the same time the Trojans turned up the juice with 114 points in consecutive wins over Mays, Lithia Springs and Alexander.

Banneker never mustered much of an offense though, and three Trojans quarterbacks lost a fumble, tossed an interception and were sacked five times. Tres Houston saw most of the second-half snaps, and his late touchdown pass to DeMarco McNeal avoided being held out of the end zone for the first time this season.

Houston, DeMetruce McNeal and Patrick Thomas combined to complete 11 of 18 passes for 125 yards.

“We were going hard at them all night,” said defensive back Isaiah Johnson, a Georgia Tech commitment. “Earlier in the week they were doing a lot of talking, about how they were going to attack us.”

Neal scored touchdowns in the second, third and fourth quarters even with Banneker anticipating the run. His third touchdown came after quarterback Ronnie Neal completed a 49-yard pass to Jarrett Davis, placing the ball at the Banneker 3. Neal’s second score, a 31-yard run, was either team’s longest run of the night.

Sandy Creek (9-1, 6-0) won the region championship virtually unchallenged. The Patriots had averaged over 38 points in region games and saw its first resistance since an opening week loss to East Coweta. Sandy Creek will play host to Loganville next week.

“We needed a game like this before the playoffs,” Neal said. “This is a big win. We are going to stay humble and focused.”