By By BRIAN HAINES
Sports Writer
CRESWELL — Emery Griggs rushed for 161 yards and five touchdowns, and Williamston’s defense continued its stellar play to help the Tigers advance to the NCHSAA Class 1-A East Region finals with a 40-6 win over Creswell on Friday night.
Williamston forced Creswell to turn the ball over on its first five possessions, and the visiting Tigers took full advantage, racing out to a 32-0 lead over the Tigers of Creswell.
000200000578000003E8572,Griggs scored on runs of 3, 35, 42, 5 and 4 yards, and Kareem Bell added a 60-yard interception return to help No. 3 seed Williamston knock off second-seeded Creswell.
Creswell’s lone touchdown came on a 12-yard toss from Shivon Spear to Gary Blount with 46 seconds left in the opening half.
Williamston (9-5) will travel to top-seed Jones Senior (13-1) next Friday night for the East Region finals. Jones Senior advanced after scoring 32 unanswered points to defeat No. 4 seed Weldon, 32-20 on Friday night.
Willliamston Creswell
10 First Downs 7
35-236 Rushes-Yards 17-21
18 Passing Yards 74
2-7-1 Pass-Comp-Int 5-19-2
2-24 Punting 1-20
2-0 Fumbles-Lost 6-3
6-50 Penalties 7-85
Williamston 18 14 0 8 — 40
Creswell 0 6 0 0 — 6
Scoring Summary
W — Emery Griggs 3 run (Kick failed), 8:52, 1st.
W — Kareem Bell 60 interception return (Run failed), 7:23, 1st.
W — Griggs 35 run (Kick failed), 6:58, 1st.
W — Griggs 42 run (Run failed), 9:07, 2nd.
W — Griggs 5 run (Run failed), 4:41, 2nd.
C — Gary Blount 12 pass from Shivon Spear (2 pt. failed), :46, 2nd.
W — Griggs 4 run (Speller run), 9:44, 4th00040000000A000000020