HOSCHTON — Newnan did something Friday night no one else had been able to do against Mill Creek all season: score in the first quarter.
After that, the Hawks treated the Cougars like they have everyone else. They were a little defensive about it.
Mill Creek shut down Newnan the rest of the way and scored 34 unanswered points to overtake and then pull away from the Cougars for a 44-14 victory in the second round of the Class AAAAAA state playoffs.
Newnan got the quick 7-0 lead on a 76-yard touchdown pass on its first possession. It would last only about 15 seconds and the Cougars would not score again until late in the fourth quarter.
In between, the Hawks (12-0) got a pair of Joe Thomas scoring runs, a touchdown pass from Cameron Turley, and two Brenton King field goals.
The Hawks answered Newnan’s quick score with one of their own when Edmund Graham returned the ensuing kickoff 87-yards to tie the game.
After a Newnan fumble on the Cougars next play, King capped a short drive with a 34-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead and the rout was on. In the second quarter Daniel Leconte pushed the lead to 17-7 with a 2-yard run and King capped the first half with a 22-yard field.
In the third quarter, Thomas blew the game open with a pair of 4-yard touchdown runs to cap efficient drives for a 34-7 lead. Newnan trimmed the lead to 34-14 with a touchdown late in the third quarter but Mill Creek snuffed out any thoughts of a rally.
Turley connected with Miles Riley for a 24-yard touchdown pass and Nick Rice drilled a 24-yard field goal to finish the scoring in the fourth quarter.
Turley finished the game 13-of-22 passing for 175 yards and one touchdown pass. Thomas had 51 yards on 15 carries and Leconte rushed for 58 yards on 8 carries and added a 10-yard reception as well.
Braxton Richberg had 5 catches for 93 yards receiving for the Hawks.
Mill Creek next will play host to Archer in the quarterfinals looking for its first-ever semifinal berth.
