"It's about making plays in the playoffs," the Scott County coach said.

His Cardinals made just enough plays to rally in the fourth quarter and survive the first round of the Class 6A playoffs at Toyota Stadium.

In next week's second round, the second-seeded Cardinals (8-3) will play at Clark County, a 28-13 winner over Paul Dunbar.

Scott has beaten Creek seven consecutive times, including a 32-14 decision last month.

No. 4 seed Creek (5-6) lost three of its final four games.

Asked what he told his team at halftime, McKee joked that he got locked in the washroom and, thus, made one of his best speeches. Didn't really happen, though.

His simple advice: "You've got to make plays."

The Commodores actually outgained Scott 338 yards to 287. The bulk of those yards came from Dee Christopher, who completed 16 of 23 passes for 243 yards and ran 10 times for 30 yards and a TD.