DOVE CREEK – It felt like a playoff game.

While Sanford and Dove Creek entered their season finale squarely in the field of 16 for the eight-man postseason, their clash Friday night held all the hallmarks of a heavyweight clash.

Dove Creek traded punches with the Indians in a tight first half before landing the knockout blow with fantastic second-half defense, shutting out the Indians in the third and fourth quarters to pick up a hard-fought 44-28 victory Friday night.

Sanford (5-4, 1-2 Mountain League) showed how much of a difference that the return of reigning eight-man Player of the Year, senior Kelton Gartrell, meant to the operation of their offense. Gartrell opened up a dynamic element for the Sanford offense that had been absent for the previous month, as the team marched down the field with a four-minute, 83-yard drive, capped off with senior quarterback Josh Holman pushing in from 6 yards out.

Dove Creek (7-2, 3-1 Mountain League) responded with power football of its own, leaning on junior Kade Hankins to break off a pair of big runs, including a conversion on fourth-and-4 from the Sanford 44. The Bulldogs continued to spread the carries around, including using senior quarterback Chorbin Cressler to push into the red zone. Cressler would cap the drive with a 3-yard plunge, knotting the contest at 8-8.

After two time consuming drives, momentum pingponged over the next 30 seconds between the Indian and Bulldog sidelines. Gartrell split the special team coverage on the ensuing kickoff, rambling for an 84-yard return to restore the Indian advantage.

Dove Creek found an immediate response, as their offense only required one play to tie up the score. Cressler launched a pass over the middle to a wide open sophomore Gage Buffington at midfield, who had nothing but green space in front of him for a 72-yard score.

With both teams holding serve through their first two possessions, it would take a turnover to change the tenor of the game. Cressler, playing from his safety position, stepped in front of a Holman pass to set up Dove Creek with premium field position and the chance to take their first lead of the game.

The ‘Dogs would cash in moments later, as Buffington powered in for his second TD of the night, giving the hosts a 20-14 lead early in the second quarter.

Sanford responded, however, even after Dove Creek junior Quaden Huffaker picked off Holman for the second consecutive takeaway. Sanford stuffed Dove Creek on fourth down on the ensuing drive, and got their offense going again. Holman ran in his second touchdown, a second 6-yard scamper, to bring the game to level terms again.

Then, with the final seconds before halftime ticking down, Dove Creek turned in a fantastic two-minute drive, covering 75 yards, with Cressler turning to the air, launching a throw across his body to find junior Cole Taber in the end zone from 25 yards out to give the hosts the lead, 28-20 with 16 seconds left.

Thinking they might head to the locker room with the lead, Dove Creek was caught flat-footed as Sanford went to their bag of tricks before the break. Gartrell took a pitch from Holman, then fired the halfback pass to junior Gauge Lewis, who slipped in behind the Dove Creek secondary for a long-range touchdown.

The teams headed to their locker rooms with a 28-28 deadlock.

After punting on their first possession of the second half, their own defense stiffened, forcing Sanford into a punt of its own. The Bulldogs burst through to block the punt, giving head coach Shane Baughman’s offense with fantastic field position at the Sanford 14.

Cressler raced in moments later to send the home sideline into celebrations again, and restore the Dove Creek advantage at 36-28.

After trading possessions, Dove Creek earned the ball back via a fourth down stop, then converted their own fourth down to keep the drive alive early in the final quarter. With a chance to go up two scores, the Bulldogs moved methodically down the field to the Sanford 1-yard line. Cressler leaned forward for his third rushing touchdown to build the lead to 44-28.

A third interception of Holman put the ‘Dogs in full command midway through the fourth quarter, before sophomore Colten Fury sealed the win with the fourth INT to keep Sanford out of the end zone for the entire second half.

Entering the week ranked 9th in the CHSAA RPI rankings, Dove Creek will await the final rankings to be finalized after the dust settles from the regular season’s final week. A spot in the top eight would ensure Dove Creek a home game to open the playoffs next week. Sanford, while in the postseason field, likely cost themselves a chance to host their opening round contest. Both teams will find out their postseason fate as CHSAA will release their playoff brackets early this week.