Today’s interviewee is Gwinnett Daily Post sports editor Will Hammock. A Gwinnett County native, Hammock has covered sports in the county since 1997. He is region sports director of Southern Community Newspapers, Inc., and oversees sports for the Henry Herald, Clayton Daily-News, Rockdale Citizen/Newton Citizen and Albany Herald. The top game on his plate this week is No. 1 Collins Hill vs. No. 2 Mill Creek in Class 7A.
Will Hammock, Gwinnett Daily Post sports editor
1. What’s your impression of Collins Hill this season? What’s particularly good about them? What’s not so good? “For all its offensive firepower, Collins Hill is really good on defense, too. I think the defense is underrated because everyone thinks Travis Hunter and Sam Horn when they think Collins Hill. Asani Redwood is having a huge season, much like James Smith did for them last year, and there are talented players all over that defense. Even with Hunter hurt, the offense is plenty explosive with Horn, Ethan Davis, Cam Pedro and those guys. My only concern with the Eagles is can they run the ball when they need to? Other coaches have pointed that out as something they have to improve in the postseason.”
2. Same with Mill Creek. What’s good? What’s questionable? “It starts with defense and special teams. They’ve been great in both areas. There can’t be many teams that have made more game-changing plays on special teams this year. The defense has a Power 5 kid at safety in Caleb Downs, and he is a game-changer. But outside of him, there isn’t a household name, and the defense is full of undersized players. But they fly around and find a way to stop people. The offense has been a little more up and down, so that would be my concern - can they score enough points to win against an elite defense? It is encouraging that the offense is more diverse than it has been lately because Mill Creek can throw the ball now.”
3. How do you see the game playing out? Who do you favor? “I see it being a pretty even game - more even with Travis Hunter on the sidelines. He killed Mill Creek in last year’s game (10 catches, 187 yards, three TDs by halftime). I see both defenses playing well, but I think Collins Hill has to be the favorite because they are more dangerous offensively. I think it will be important for Mill Creek to win the special teams battle to have a chance. Both teams will need to play better than last Friday. It was probably the worst performance of the year for both.”
4. For the most part, Collins Hill and Mill Creek have made their marks this season with impressive victories over other Gwinnett teams. Is it possible that we really don’t know how good Gwinnett is this season and that both these teams have a lot to prove beyond this game? How confident are you that these teams are the elite in 7A? “I think there’s still a lot to prove for sure. Collins Hill has more noteworthy wins outside of the county with convincing wins over Greenville Christian [Miss.], East Coweta and Rome. Its 36-10 win over Brookwood is looking more impressive, too. How Collins Hill and Mill Creek stack up against teams like North Cobb, Milton, Lowndes and Colquitt remains to be seen. I can say this. I think Collins Hill and Mill Creek have proven to be the best football teams in Gwinnett in 7A. And Gwinnett’s best teams in 7A generally compete well with the other elite teams in 7A.”
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