In a tight District 8A-3 race, Friday night’s matchup between Timber Creek and University was expected to be a close affair. The parity throughout the district however would not be a good prediction for the evening’s result.
Just ten days shy of his college announcement, five star prospect Jacques Patrick put on a show for Timber Creek. He took the second play from scrimmage 76 yards to the house and would go for six touchdowns on the night as the Wolves (4-2, 2-0) topped University (4-4, 1-2) 42-21.
Patrick finished the night with 26 carries for 315 yards and head coach Jim Buckridge said last year’s loss to the Cougars fueled his star player.
“He kind of took it personal when things were said last year about how he wasn’t as good of a back when University beat us,” said Buckridge. “That’s not something you want to do is throw the gauntlet down with him because he came to play tonight.”
The Wolves defense stopped any momentum the Cougars tried to build throughout the game. On their first series of the game, TC intercepted Nelson Poorman on third and long and set up a short second TD run for Patrick.
Poorman was on a 6/7 drive at the end of the first half, but a big stand from the Wolves kept it a three score game heading into the locker room. Out of the half, the Cougars fumbled it away on their opening possession.
Buckridge said his bend but not break defense was essential to win against the strong passing attack for University.
“That was our philosophy,” said Buckridge. “Try not to give up the big play. We gave up the one or two play drive, but besides that, they had to earn everything. They made a couple mistakes, we didn’t make any mistakes tonight and that was the difference in the game.”
While Patrick was the offensive headliner, quarterback Preston Samoden also keyed things. Samoden was accurate down the field and made several big plays to keep the chains moving in the first half.
He was 6/7 for 115 yards through the opening 24 minutes and only attempted two more passes the rest of the way with Timber Creek comfortably leading.
“He’s handled everything we’ve done,” said Buckridge about his QB. “We run the ball and he doesn’t complain. When he has to make a throw, he’s done a good job. This year, he’s taken the role of being the facilitator on offense and he’s doing a good job with it.”
As the only undefeated team, the win firmly planted Timber Creek in the district driver seat as the only undefeated team with Oviedo and Winter Park chasing. A win versus Hagerty next Thursday could cement things for the Wolves.
“Going 2-0 (in the district) is big because now we control our own destiny,” said Buckridge. “We can only do what we can do. It’s a good district. I really believe that anybody any night can beat anybody. That’s how good this district is.”