Collins Hill is a victory from its first state title. Milton won in 2018. They were ranked No. 1-No. 2 in preseason (with Milton on top). They’ve lived up to expectations and are about to meet for the championship.
Here’s a quick preview.
When, where: 7 p.m. Saturday, Center Parc Stadium, Atlanta
Records, rankings: Milton is 13-1, the No. 1 seed from Region 5-7A and No. 3; Collins Hill is 14-0, the No. 1 seed from 8-7A and No. 1.
Last meeting: Milton won 44-15 in the first round of the 2017 Class 7A playoffs.
Things to know: Collins Hills can become the first team in the highest classification to win every game by 15 or more points since Valdosta in 1971. Only five teams in any class have done it. A national title also is in play as MaxPreps and USA Today each rank Collins Hill at No. 3. QB Sam Horn is 221 passing yards from becoming the eighth player in GHSA history to reach 10,000 for his career. WR Travis Hunter has 3,654 yards receiving and 45 TD catches in his career. Milton’s offensive weapons are QB Devin Farrell (2,088 yards passing, 936 rushing) and RB Jordan McDonald (1,537 yards rushing, 201.3 per game the past three rounds). While Hunter is the state’s top senior prospect, Milton DL Lebbeus Overton holds that honor among Georgia juniors. Milton was the preseason No. 1 team but took a step back after losing to North Cobb in August. Milton has won 12 games since. The biggest difference between the teams is points allowed. With six shutouts, Collins Hill gives up 5.8 points per game. Milton is allowing 19.9.
Maxwell Ratings’ projected score: Collins Hill 30, Milton 14
Their semifinal games in review:
*Collins Hill 31, Grayson 0: Collins Hill led only 10-0 at halftime but drove 84 yards on 16 plays for a touchdown to open the second half, then scored again after forcing a turnover. Sam Horn was 24-of-32 passing for 230 yards and rushed for 99 yards on eight carries. Travis Hunter had eight receptions for 75 yards. Spenser Anderson rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries. Jaylen George had three tackles for losses. The shutout was Collins Hill’s sixth of the season.
***What it means: Collins Hill avenges its loss in the 2020 championship game, improves to 14-0 with no game closer than 15 points and moves closer to its first state title. Grayson, unranked after the regular season, finishes 10-4 despite heavy graduation losses.
*Milton 52, Walton 17: Milton trailed 10-0 midway in the second quarter but scored the game’s final 52 points. Jordan McDonald rushed for 155 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries. Devin Farrell was 5-of-14 passing for 105 yards and rushed for 61 yards. Walton’s Jeremy Hecklinski was 26-of-37 passing for 350 yards but was intercepted three times.
***What it means: Milton, the preseason No. 1 team, takes a 12-game winning streak and a 43.1-point scoring average into the final, where the Eagles are chasing their second state title, first since 2018. Walton ends up 9-4 in its best season since the 2011 state runner-up finish.
