How a team performs in the trenches can either make it or break it.
On Friday, it broke Indian Creek, which opened its season with a 42-28 loss at Batesville, the same school that eliminated the Braves from the postseason a year ago.
“They were more physical than us. Bottom line,” second-year Indian Creek coach Casey Gillin said. “We got pushed around.”
The Braves took an early 7-0 lead on a 15-yard touchdown reception by Bobby Emberton, but the host Bulldogs responded with three consecutive touchdowns to build a 21-7 cushion.
“I made a bad decision right before halftime when we were down 14-7 and decided not to punt on fourth down,” Gillin said. “Batesville got a sack on us, and the very next play they threw a fade down the sideline for a touchdown. Now it’s a 14-point game. That killed us.”
Indian Creek rallied in the fourth quarter behind back-to-back scoring passes from quarterback Jalen Sauer, but Batesville was able to put it away down the stretch.
Emberton caught six passes for 102 yards for the Braves, who host county rival Greenwood next Friday night.
