Titans Rally to Beat Johns Creek in Final Tune-Up

Johns Creek and Northview faced each other Friday night in a tune-up scrimmage in which the Titans came from behind to win 21-17 thanks to senior linebacker Isaac Hart's interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.      

Northview Head Coach Chad Davenport installed a new pass-oriented hurry-up offense for this season, and the Titans, for the most part, seemed to execute it well. 

"We're obviously bringing in a new offense, so it was good to see us tonight, for the first time, doing it with a new offense," Davenport said. "We did a lot of good things, and just like in a scrimmage, we did a lot of bad things."    

The Titans adjusted to the new offense well in the opening minutes of the game. Junior quarterback Evan Jacks ran a keeper for 26 yards on the Titans' first possession. However, on the very next play, the Gladiators' defense stepped up and made a play when Jacks was sacked by Johns Creek's Sam Arrington. 

The Gladiators eventually held on defense and got the ball for their first offensive possession.     

The Northview defense stepped up big on Johns Creek's first play from scrimmage. Johns Creek sophomore running back Chase Solomon was taken down for a five-yard loss by Northiew junior defensive back A.J. Pearson. 

However, the Gladiators were able to march down the field into Titan territory.  The Titan defense was able to hold the Gladiators to a 25-yard field goal by Kyle Fowler with 3:19 left in the first quarter.    

The Titans would take the lead, however, when they moved the ball down inside the Johns Creek 20. 

Northview's Jacks found junior Austin Rose for a 15-yard touchdown pass.  The extra point was good and the Titans took the lead 7-3 with 3:55 left in the first half.    

Northview added to its lead just before halftime when Jacks found Rose again for the touchdown, and the Titans went into halftime with a 14-3 lead. 

However, the Gladiators' defense came up with a turnover when the Titans fumbled the snap and the ball was recovered by Johns Creek. 

The Titan defense came up with a turnover of its own when on 3rd and 9, Johns Creek quarterback Skye Overton's pass was intercepted by defensive back Evan Sather. Sather then returned the ball back to the Johns Creek 45 yard line.   

The Titans couldn't do anything on offense, and the Gladiators drove down the field and scored on a Skye Overton keeper from a yard out to cut the Titans' lead to 14-10. 

The Johns Creek defense held, and as soon as it got the ball back, wasted no time taking the lead when Chase Solomon broke through the Titans defense and scampered 89 yards for the touchdown.  All of a sudden, the Gladiators had a 17-14 lead.    

The Gladiators held once again on defense and the Titans were forced to punt. The Johns Creek offense seemed to be poised to put the game away, as it was moving the football thanks to strong running from Solomon. 

However, the Northview defense, along with a holding penalty on Johns Creek, forced the Gladiators into a 3rd and 25 situation.  On the next play, Northview intercepted a pass and ran 40 yards for the go-ahead score, giving the Titans a 21-17 lead with 4:25 left in the game.    

The Gadiators were able to move the ball down to the Northview 21, but on 4th and 5, Johns Creek backup quarterback John Grayson's pass was broken up by A.J. Pearson and Marcus Fenderson, and the Titans went on to win 21-17.  

"I though Johns Creek was very, very much improved from the last time we scrimmaged them," Davenport said. "We kinda focus on the first half. That's when I wanted to play our starters. Then after halftime, we mixed in a lot of kids. Overall, we did a lot of good stuff." 

Both teams kick it off for real next Friday when Johns Creek hosts Rome at 7:30 p.m. and Northview hosts Meadowcreek, also at 7:30.

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