In a game that saw the lead change hands five times, the Mustangs outlasted host Athens Drive 34-27 to keep pace with fellow frontrunner Fuquay-Varina.

Early on, Athens Drive was the aggressor.

With two minutes left in the first quarter, the Jaguars lined up to kick a field goal to go up 6-0. But the kick sailed wide and Middle Creek took over – and took advantage.

On the second play of the possession, Mustangs quarterback David Salmon hit a wide open Kevin Jones down the middle for an 80-yard touchdown to give them the lead at 7-3.

Middle Creek pushed its lead to 10 early in the second quarter when Devone Johnson scored from a yard out.

But as quickly as the Mustangs had snatched the momentum, the Jags ripped it right back on their ensuing possession.

Athens marched down the field with ease and pulled to within three on a Dominique Lynch 3-yard touchdown with 7:15 left in the half. The Jags’ defense stopped Middle Creek on fourth down, and the offense again rolled toward the end zone. This time, quarterback Jason West capped the scoring drive with a 1-yard keeper to retake the lead at 17-13.

The Mustangs seemed to regain its footing on offense as it drove into Athens’ territory late in the first half, but Steven Parrish’s second pick of the game put an end to that. And rather than sit on their lead, the Jags moved into field goal range and Tommy Evanoff drilled a 27-yarder with 5.7 seconds remaining in the second quarter.

Athens led 20-13 at the break, but the third quarter belonged to Middle Creek.

Kevin Jones took the opening kickoff of the second half 98 yards for a touchdown, and just like that the Mustangs were back in front. They added to their lead two minutes later when Salmon connected with Jon Moore for a 25-yard touchdown.

Heading into the fourth quarter, Middle Creek led 26-20. But of course the roller coaster ride was not over.

With 10:55 left in the game, Jags defensive back Ricky Stewart fell on a muffed punt at the Mustangs’ 15-yard line. Athens turned the miscue into points with 8:07 left on a West to Umar Hodges score from 3 yards out. Evanoff’s extra point swung the advantage back to the Jags at 27-26 – the fourth lead change of the game.

Middle Creek had the final say, though.

The Mustangs ate up nearly four minutes and put the game away when Corey Wright plowed into the end zone for a 1-yard score. Athens moved the ball on its final drive, but an incompletion on fourth down inside the final minute ended the threat.