VARNELL, Ga. — Friday night’s game between Northwest Whitfield and Coahulla Creek showed that the two aren’t necessarily headed in opposite directions.

While Northwest has dreams of finally winning a region title, Coahulla Creek just wants to win. But the first ever football game between the two north Whitfield County schools showed the gap isn’t as big as some might have thought.

For most of the first half, the Colts — winners of just six games in the history of the program — held their own against their more established and experienced cousins from Tunnel Hill.

But before the lightning and storms rolled through the area, halting the game with the Bruins ahead 34-6 with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter, the gap was certainly there. After a delay because of the storms, the game was declared official.

“It was an emotional game for both schools because what a great atmosphere and setting this was before we all got wet,” said Northwest coach Josh Robinson. “It should have happened a long time ago. It will be fun for both schools coming forward. It was a great atmosphere and I think we both helped each other get better for the rest of the season.”

Senior quarterback Ty Fisher threw for 274 yards and four touchdowns, and featured back Dominique Sistrunk broke off a 77-yard touchdown run and hauled in another pass for the score to lead Northwest to the victory.

But it wasn’t an easy win.

Twice the Bruins’ defense had to stiffen to turn back Coahulla Creek red-zone drives in the first half. Those two stands were the difference in giving Northwest a 20-6 halftime lead rather than heading to the locker room in a much different game.

“We obviously have got to get better in the red zone,” Coahulla Creek coach Caleb Bagley said. “That has been something that has plagued us since the spring. Talking to the team afterwards, they weren’t excited that they lost, but they saw the results of their effort and are getting better.”

Fisher and receiver Seth Henderson wasted little time in establishing their connection with a 51-yard scoring pass on just the third play of the game, and it was a combination the Bruins would go back to later in the game.

But despite the quick lead by the Bruins, Coahulla Creek showed little in the way of opening jitters. On the opening series for the Colts, junior quarterback Cade Bates hit Michael King on a diving 32-yard catch, but the drive fizzled in the shadow of the goal posts as the Colts couldn’t connect on a fourth-down pass in the end zone.

But Northwest gave the ball right back with a fumble, and three plays later, Bates bulled in from the 1 to cut the Northwest lead to 7-6.

Coahulla Creek then forced a punt, and looked to have some momentum after a penalty on the Bruins for a pass interference, but a loss on a draw play on a critical third down gave the ball back to Northwest.

The Bruins counterpunched well with Henderson taking a curl route and turning it into an 86-yard touchdown, breaking three tackles as he zigged and zagged down the field.

“Our tempo got better as the game went,” Robinson said. “As good as I think we can be on the defense, we aren’t there yet. They have to get experience and grow up really quick.”

UP NEXT

Both teams will take a week off before returning to action against rivals. Northwest will host Dalton on Aug. 31, while Coahulla Creek travels to Southeast Whitfield.