Second half surge propels No. 3 Bulldogs past Mill Creek

SUWANEE - Class AAAAA No. 3 North Gwinnett overcame a sluggish first half to pull away from Mill Creek for a 30-3 Region 7-AAAAA win Friday night.

The Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0 in region) trailed 3-0 following a 44-yard field by Mill Creek's Scott Morton in the first quarter. It would stay that way until C.J. Uzomah connected with Justin Dickens on a 50-yard pass with 12 seconds left in the second quarter to give North Gwinnett a 7-3 lead.

It was all North Gwinnett in the second half, however, as Uzomah rushed for a 12-yard score and then Raahmil Brantley scored on a 17-yard run to give the Bulldogs a 21-3 lead midway through the third quarter.

Despite the fast second half start, North Gwinnett coach Bob Sphire said it was their sloppiest game of the year.

"We really haven't played well for the last two weeks," Sphire said. "I did think the defense played well but right now we've got a lot of work to do on the offensive side. The off-week is coming at a good time for us."

The Bulldogs put the game away in the fourth quarter when Jimmy Kearney took an interception 42-yards for a touchdown to push their lead to 27-3. Brandon Sysol added a 35-yard field goal later in the quarter for the final score.