Sandy Creek had a chance Friday to knock off defending Region 6-AAA champion Cartersville, holding a 16-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

But the Purple Hurricanes swept away Creek’s chances by coming back in the second half to pull out a 17-16 victory.

Braxton Lane gave Creek an immediate lift, returning the game-opening kickoff 56 yards. Lane's return set up a 3-yard touchdown run by Josh Williams three plays later.

Williams ended Creek’s next drive with another touchdown, a 5-yard run.

A 24-yard field goal by Zach Lopez early in the second quarter increased Creek’s lead to 16-0.

The Purple Hurricanes were reeling until fullback Jon Janssen plowed into the end zone from 1 yard out to conclude a six-play, 68-yard drive late in the second quarter.

Cartersville running back Morgan Alexander’s 9-yard touchdown run on the opening drive of the second half cut Creek’s lead to 16-14.

A 23-yard field goal that ended Cartersville’s next drive held up as the winning points.

Cartersville’s defense shut down Creek the rest of the way, holding the Patriots to 69 yards of total offense in the second half.