By Robert Haddocks
Johnathon Hawkins ran for four touchdowns and Mill Creek - behind its monstrous offensive line - rolled up more than 300 yards rushing as the Hawks carried out their week-long message and pounded Collins Hill 51-7.
Pitting two of the top teams in Region 7-AAAAAA, the game was billed as matchup between Mill Creek’s line that averages 6-3 and 290 pounds and Collins Hill’s strength, its stout defensive line. But in the trenches, it was a quick knockout for Hawks, who scored on their first four possessions to take a 23-0 halftime lead. Coming off of their bye, Hawkins said “physicality” was preached all week.
“There was a lot of hype coming into this game,” Hawkins said. “But looking at the scoreboard, we know who won that matchup. It all starts with the offensive line. They played the game of their life.”
Auburn commit Kaleb Kim, Jack Franklin, Josh Fannin, Chad Walker and Bobby Klemm paved the way for the Hawks (5-3, 4-1) who came in averaging 43 points a game and 308 yards rushing. Hawkins rushed for a game-high 132 yards on 25 carries.
Mill Creek opened the second half by scoring touchdowns on all four of its possessions. Hawkins’ final score was a four-yard run on the opening drive. Brian Efianayi spelled Hawkins and tallied two rushing touchdowns and Jason Chase capped Mill Creek’s scoring. Mill Creek moves into a first-place tie with Norcross and North Gwinnett. The Hawks travel to Norcross on Friday.
Collins Hill (5-3, 3-2) avoided a shutout with a touchdown pass from Monty Horn to Jacin Bankhead.
Mill Creek took control early, starting with touchdowns on its first three possessions (all by Hawkins) to take a 20-0 lead. After stuffing a fourth-down run, Mill Creek took advantage of a short field and drove 53 yards on four consecutive runs by Hawkins, including a 40-yard touchdown.
Hawkins, who has offers from Florida State, Duke and North Carolina, capped a 14-play, 82-yard drive with a two-yard score early in the second period to pad the lead to 13-0. A Collins Hill fumbled snap on a punt gave Mill Creek possession at the Eagles’ 34-yard line and three plays later Hawkins ran untouched for a seven-yard touchdown. The senior back followed a gaping hole cleared by Klemm (6-5, 315) and Walker (6-2, 280).
Relying strictly on their power running game, the Hawks rushed for 154 yards in the first half. They also had their way defensively, limiting Collins Hill to 47 total yards and three first downs in the half. Collins Hill finished with 132 total yards, 80 coming on its scoring drive in the final minute.
MILL CREEK – 7 – 16 – 14 – 14 - 51
COLLINS HILL – 0 – 0 – 0 – 7 – 7
MC – Johnathon Hawkins 40 run (Bryson King kick)
MC – Hawkins 2 run (kick failed)
MC – Hawkins 7 run (King kick)
MC – Brenton King 37 FG
MC – Hawkins 4 run (Bryson King kick)
MC – Brian Efianayi 2 run (Bryson King kick)
MC – Efianayi 9 run (Bryson King kick)
MC – Jason Chase 9 run (Bryson King kick)
CH – Jacin Bankhead 6 pass from Monty Horn (Eric Fuentes kick)
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