Though his services weren’t needed as much Friday night as the week before, Treyvon Paulk was more than happy to volunteer them.
The Milton Eagles senior running back, who has committed to Tennessee, had another big night, but it was the Eagles’ defense that led them to a 56-13 win over Johns Creek in a battle of Class AAAAAA rivals.
Paulk rushed for 102 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries — including 76 yards and three scores in the first half — for the Eagles (2-0). This followed his performance from a week ago, when he rushed for 227 yards and three touchdowns, including the winner in an overtime victory against Alpharetta.
He didn’t need a clutch moment against Johns Creek though. The Milton defense helped to make sure of it in the first half, forcing two safeties and a fumble while holding the Gladiators to 12 yards. With a 35-0 lead through two quarters, the game was all but decided by halftime and a running clock was used for the fourth quarter.
“Our defense stepped it up a lot tonight,” said Paulk, who sat most of the second half. “They were flying around and making plays.”
The Eagles lost their chance for a shutout with 9:16 remaining in the third, when Johns Creek’s Grey Overton caught a 30-yard pass from Kevin Nalecz for a touchdown.
Milton is looking to build from last year’s 7-4 season that included a playoff appearance. The Eagles’ undefeated start comes in the face of losing seven offensive starters. That Friday’s win was against the Gladiators made it that much sweeter for Milton.
“Last year they got us in a tough one, so it felt good to come out this year and get them,” said Paulk, referring to a 14-9 Gladiators win in 2012. “We came out and played our game.”
Without starting quarterback Austin Pack — who has yet to play this season because of injury — and the loss of 18 starters to graduation, Johns Creek (0-2) is hoping to avoid its first losing season since 2010, which was the program’s second season of existence.
Johns Creek will travel to play Roswell next week, while Milton will travel to Centennial. It’s the final game before region play for both teams.
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