Mill Creek 23, Archer 0

Mill Creek 23, Archer 0

In what was pegged to be one of the top quarterfinal matchups in the state of Georgia turned out to be a complete domination by the home team as Mill Creek shutout Archer 23-0. The win improves the Hawks to 13-0 on the season and a berth to the school’s first ever trip to the semifinals.

The Hawks defense was the story forcing three turnovers and continuing to pin the Tigers deep in their own territory. Mill Creek’s offense, although not outstanding, had great starting field position and pounded out tough yards throughout the night.

“The biggest thing it [this victory] means is I’m proud of this football team, and we get to play again,” said Mill Creek head coach Shannon Jarvis. “We have done a great job this year of not getting caught up in the history they are making every time they play. It’s really about lining up and doing your job. I know that sounds like coach speak, but that’s what this team has gravitated to.”

Archer drove down the field on the opening drive with relative ease mixing in runs with Jamyest Williams and passing plays to Kyle Davis. In the red zone, Williams took a handoff down to the 12-yard line but then fumbled the ball away to Mill Creek. After that drive, Archer was stalled on offense for the rest of the night.

“As far as adjustments, it’s not always scheme. After we got the momentum [after the fumble], our kids just started feeding off of each other and playing fast. They were playing fast the opening series. I don’t think we came out flat by no means. Our defense thrives off of turnovers, and that’s what they do a good job of.”

The Hawks then drove 88 yards and converted on a 12-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Cameron Turley to Daniel Leconte to take a 7-0 lead. Late in the first quarter, Mill Creek took advantage of great field position as placekicker Brenton King connected on a 42-yard field goal to go up 10-0.

The second quarter was one highlighted by turnovers. Deep in their own territory, Archer quarterback Will Bearden threw an interception, giving the Hawks the ball at the Tigers 40-yard line. Two plays later, Mill Creek tried a double pass trick play that resulted in an interception by Archer cornerback Jeremiah Nails.

After King missed wide on a 47-yard field goal, Archer took over once again in their own territory. Looking to make something, Bearden misread coverage and threw and interception to Mill Creek defensive end Peyton Moore. Moore then weaved his way through a slew of Tiger tacklers and dove into the end zone, dragging Bearden behind him.

The Hawks continued to control the tempo. They took the opening kickoff of the second half for 69 yards down to the Archer 26-yard line. After a short series, King connected on a 41-yard field goal to put the team up 20-0.

The lockdown defense from the home team continued into the second half. They did not give up a first down to Archer in the entire third quarter. King tacked on another field goal at the start of the fourth quarter to stretch the Hawks lead to 23-0. With Archer in desperation mode, they tried and failed on two fourth down conversions late in the game.

Turley finished the game 10-of-21 passing for 108 yards, while Leconte added 43 yards on the ground and the 12-yard touchdown reception.

Williams led the Archer offense with 107 yards on the ground. Auburn-commit Kyle Davis caught six passes for just 17 yards. Aramis Bryant’s 82 receiving yards led all pass-catchers in the game.

Mill Creek will play defending Class AAAAAA state champions Colquitt County in the semifinals next Friday. A coin flip will determine the site of the game as both team enter the contest 13-0 on the season.