In its second season of a region schedule, Creekview will have to run through quite a gauntlet in order to move to the next level as a program and become recognized in Class AAA.

After their first win over county rival Sequoyah, 13-7, the Grizzlies must now prepare for Friday's game at third-ranked Flowery Branch. Though the Falcons aren't in Creekview's subregion, the game could still count toward region seeding at the end of the season.

"It's definitely a big game," Creekview coach Al Morrell said. "They're ranked (third) in the state, and we had a close game last year. But they are going to be hard to contain (this year)."

Two games into its season, Flowery Branch has beaten Stephens County and Lumpkin County by a combined score of 73-15. Over the summer, the Falcons won a 7-on-7 tournament at Lassiter High School that included several traditional Class AAAAA powers. The Falcons also finished last season as the Class AAA state runner-up.

When asked if Creekview would gain prestige after a potential win over the Falcons, Morrell said, "I'm sure we would because they are state-ranked."

In last season's match between the two teams, Creekview suffered a 20-18 loss at the Grizzly Den as a result of solid defense by Flowery Branch and some special teams mistakes by Creekview. In order for the Grizzlies to get their revenge, there are several components of Friday's game that must go in the their favor, but special teams may be one of the biggest keys.

"We're much improved this year (on special teams)," Morrell said. "We (successfully) kicked an extra point and both field goals (last Friday). Special teams was definitely a turning point in the game against Sequoyah. Hopefully, it will keep going in the right direction."

Flowery Branch has several playmakers that will make containment difficult for the defense. Senior quarterback Connor Shaw, who has already committed to South Carolina, has the ability to throw on the run and elude tacklers in the backfield.

"We just have to play our defense, put pressure on (Shaw) and keep him inside the tackles," Morrell said. "It would be hard to put a spy on him because they run so many crossing routes that it would leave a player open."

Shaw has two key targets in wide receivers Rodney Young and Rodriguez Frazier. Each has the ability to make plays in the open field and have been able to take short passes and turn them into long touchdowns runs. With Flowery Branch's propensity to put the ball in the air, the Falcons' scoring drives do not take a whole lot of time.

"We have to contain the big play," Morrell said. "Watching them on film, they haven't had long drives. It's just been big plays and it's due to (Shaw's) athletic ability."

Creekview will counter with a ground game led by Hunter Livingston and Michael Ay. Against Sequoyah, Livingston ran for a game-high 94 yards, while Ay ran for 42 and completed a 32-yard pass to Jake Barclay on a flea-flicker.

If the two offensive catalysts can continue to do the same for Creekview, then the Grizzlies should be able to control the clock and keep Flowery Branch's explosive offense off the field.