Memorial receiver Brandon Thomas (12) soars high above two Clear Creek defenders to snag a 30-yard pass from Greg Gallardo in the third quarter.

  Clear Creek used a key turnover to turn back a Memorial High rally in the third quarter en route to a 30-13 victory over the Mavericks Saturday night in the weekend's final season-opener at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
  Creek quarterback Austin Smith passed for 224 yards and two touchdowns, the second one just minutes after a fumble cost the Mavericks a ripe opportunity to tie the game.
  Smith connected with Chris Mirka from 6 yards out to lift the Wildcats to a 20-6 lead with 4:39 left in the third quarter. 
  The score followed a Memorial threat that flamed out inches from the end zone. Mavericks quarterback Greg Gallardo completed a pass to the goal-line, but Creek's defense forced a fumble and recovered the loose ball.
  The Wildcats followed up with a 2-yard TD run by Colby Davis early in the fourth quarter and a 20-yard field goal by Tanner Graeber to take a 30-6 lead. 
  Memorial struck back with a 34-yard TD pass from Jordan Wyatt to Reggie Turner.
  Smith and Davis helped account for Creek's first two TDs. With 15 seconds left in the first quarter, Smith teamed with Deon Lewis on 68-yard TD pass. Lewis finished with seven catches for 154 yards.
  With just over a minute left in the half, Davis scored from 2 yards out.
  Memorial finally dented the scoreboard midway through the third quarter when Nick Hernandez scored on a 4-yard run.
  The Mavericks were hurt by six fumbles, four of which were lost to Creek. The Wildcats were flagged nine times but committed no turnovers.
  Hernandez paced Memorial's ground game with 81 yards on 20 carries.

Memorial senior Nick Hernandez cuts upfield as teammate Anthony Garza (79) slides over to provide blocking help.

Mavericks defenders Korey Malone (22) and Tim Holder (30) send Clear Creek running back Kaliq Kokuma sprawling.

Memorial defensive back Reggie Turner takes the legs out from under Creek's Kokuma.

Memorial's Hernandez (24) prepares for a collision with Creek safety Blake Poole.

Creek quarterback Austin Smith falls victim to a third-quarter sack by Memorial's Korey Malone.

Creek defensive backs Logan Jentzen (10) and Dillon Johnson (20) successfully defend an attempted two-point conversion pass following Memorial's third-quarter touchdown.

Memorial linebacker Brandon Ramirez (55) puts the heat on Creek quarterback Austin Smith.

DISTRICT 22-5A FOOTBALL STANDINGS 

Through games of Aug. 27

GAME ALBUM