Saturday night at Ken Pridgeon Stadium in a game where the largest lead by either team was 7 points, the Stratford Spartans rallied from down 7 in the fourth quarter to defeat the Cy Creek Cougars 45-42 in regulation.
Stratford led 28-21 at halftime but the teams were knotted at 35 after 3 quarters. Cy Creek’s Brad Jackson connected with Edgar Quintero with 7:59 remaining in the game to spot the Cougars to a 42-35 lead.
The Cougars were penalized on the ensuing kickoff and a great return positioned the Spartans at the Cy Creek 43-yard line and cashed in quickly on a 13-yard touchdown run by Dallas Payne to tie the game at 42 with 5:55 remaining.
The Cougars were forced to punt on their ensuing possession and punt was partially blocked travelling only 20 yards. The Spartans took possession at the Cy Creek with 4:48 remaining in the game.
Stratford would drive to the 10-yard line and Giancarlo Chelela nailed a 27-yard field goal with 1:05 left in the game to put the Spartans ahead for good 45-42.
Cy Creek drove out to around midfield before a sack forced a fumble and the Spartans were able to kneel out the clock.
Stratford is now 4-1 on the season and 1-1 in district play. The Spartans host Northbrook (1-4, 0-2) on Thursday.
Cy Creek is now 2-3 on the season and 1-1 in district play. The Cougars play Cy-Fair (4-1, 2-0) on Saturday.
SCORING
| Stratford | 7 | 21 | 7 | 10 | 45 |
| Cy Creek | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
SUMMARY
1st Quarter
CC: Yalance Brown 4 run (Griffith Towle kick) 4:17
S: Dallas Payne 3 run (Giancarlo Chelala kick) 3:12
2nd Quarter
CC: Brad Jackson 34 pass to Rashod Richardson (Griffith kick) 8:56
S: Nash Rankin 11 pass to Jake Brand (Chelela kick) 6:04
S: Payne 12 run (Chelela kick) 2:15
CC: Jackson 15 pass to Edgar Quintero (Girffith kick) 0:59
S: Rankin 68 pass Hawkins Polley (Chelala kick) 0:38
3rd Quarter
CC: Dominic Ramirez 17 run (Griffith run) 6:58
S: Rankin 14 pass to Polley (Chelala kick) 4:52
CC: Jackson 15 pass to Richardson (Griffith kick) 0:44
4th Quarter
CC: Jackson 15 pass to Quintero (Griffith kick) 7:59
S: Payne 13 run (Chelala kick) 5:55
S: Chelala 27 field goal 1:05
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing
Stratford: Dallas Payne, 19-167-3; Javi Denson, 3-21; Nash Rankin, 7-14; Deon Walker, 2-12
Cy Creek: Dominic Ramirez, 25-107-1; Yalance Brown, 12-49-1; Brad Jackson 15-23
Passing
Stratford: Nash Rankin, 21-27-252-3-1
Cy Creek: Brad Jackson, 24-43-259-4-0
Receiving
Stratford: Jake Brand, 9-87-1; Hawkins Polley, 4-101-2; Dallas Payne, 3-28; Trisiton Williams, 2-16; Luke Rives, 2-5; Javi Denson, 1-15
Cy Creek: Dominic Remirez, 8-59; Edgar Quintero, 6-78-2; Rashod Richardson, 5-83-2; Aiden Fleming, 2-12; Kirby Sims, 1-18
TEAM STATS
| Stratford | Team Statistics | Cy Creek |
| 21 | First Downs | 33 |
| 21-27-1-252 | Passing (Comp-Att-Int-Yards) | 24-44-0-259 |
| 32-209 | Rushing Attempts-Yards | 52-179 |
| 1-28 | Punts-Average | 3-25 |
| 5-58 | Penalties-Yards | 5-35 |
| 2 | Turnovers | 2 |
| 1-1 | Fumbles-Lost | 2-2 |