For the third time in program history, the Mill Creek Hawks are headed to the quarterfinals.
They didn’t face much resistance from their opponent either, as they marched to a 44-14 victory over the Newnan Cougars on Friday at Mill Creek Community Stadium in Class AAAAAA action.
The Hawks (12-0), a No. 1 seed from Region 7, advance to play and host Archer, a No. 2 seed from Region 8. Archer beat McEachern on Friday.
Mill Creek has already set the school record for wins, but has never made it past the quarterfinals in its 12-year history. The Hawks last reached the quarterfinals in 2012.
“It’s exciting,” said Hawks coach Shannon Jarvis, who has guided Mill Creek since its inaugural season in 2004. “Obviously, when you get to the quarterfinals, the opponents get better each week. We’ve been here a couple of times, but I want to break some more records.”
Newnan (9-3), a No. 2 seed from Region 3, struck first when Cougars quarterback Chancellor Johnson connected with Zavin Cooley-Smith on a 76-yard touchdown strike with 3:40 remaining in the opening quarter.
The lead was short-lived, however.
Edmond Graham returned the Cougars’ ensuing kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown.
“It was huge,” Jarvis said of Graham’s score. “After they scored the touchdown it didn’t waver anyone. We were just ready to line up and play the next play and that’s what our kids did.”
Graham’s score was the beginning of a 34-0 Mill Creek run.
The Hawks led 27-7 at halftime thanks to a pair of Brenton King field goals (33 and 22 yards), a 2-yard Daniel Leconte run and a 3-yard Joe Thomas run.
Mill Creek added to its lead in the second half with another 3-yard Thomas run, a 25-yard pass from Cameron Turley to Miles Riley and a 22-yard field goal from Nick Rice.
Leconte led the Hawks with 59 rushing yards on eight carries and Thomas had 56 yards on 17 carries. Braxton Richburg caught five catches for 96 yards and Turley completed 12 of his 21 passes for 183 yards.
Johnson led Newnan with 28 rushing yards on 12 carries and completed 17 of his 28 passes for 179 yards. Cooley-Smith caught three passes for 78 yards and P.J. Harris caught six passes for 60 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown.
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Newnan 7 0 7 0 – 14
Mill Creek 10 17 7 10 – 44
N – Zavin Cooley-Smith 76 pass from Chancellor Johnson (Rad Wyrick kick)
M – Edmond Graham 88 kick return (Brenton King kick)
M – King 32 FG
M – Daniel Leconte 2 run (King kick)
M – Joe Thomas 3 run (King kick)
M – King 22 FG
M – Joe Thomas 3 run (King kick)
N – P.J. Harris 9 pass from Johnson (Wyrick kick)
M – Miles Riley 25 pass from Cameron Turley (King kick)
M – Nick Rice 22 FG
Credit: Craig Sager
Credit: Craig Sager
