Previously undefeated Wake Forest fell to Mallard Creek 25-14 in the finals of the state 4-AA championship Saturday night. The Cougars also lost to the Mavericks in last year’s final.

Mallard Creek took a lead it would never relinquish on the second play when quarterback James Smith broke loose for 70-yard rushing touchdown.

Later in the opening quarter, Smith threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Horton for a 12-0 lead.

Wake Forest got back in it late in the first half when Bryce Love capped a 14-play, 81-yard drive with a two-yard plunge. After the point after, the Cougars trailed just 12-7.

In the third quarter, Smith again found a seam and ran 37 yards for a score to increase the Mallard Creek lead to 19-7.

The Cougars didn’t give up and got back in it after a blocked punt in the fourth quarter. Wake Forest QB Mack Moore threw an 18-yard TD pass to Brooks Cunningham to cut the margin to five at 19-14.

But Mallard Creek responded immediately with a quick pass-dominated drive that ended with a Smith quarterback sneak to wrap it up at 25-14 with five minutes left.