HOSCHTON — Mill Creek coach Shannon Jarvis isn’t buying any of it.
The Hawks are 4-0 for the first-time in program history; they’re ranked sixth in Class AAAAAA; many are saying they are among a select group capable of winning the state title.
Fans and pundits alike are already asking if it’s the best team in Mill Creek history -- and we’re not even at the halfway point of the season.
“Don’t listen to any of that,” Jarvis said during an interview Tuesday. “I’ll say that we knew coming into the season that we liked this group and felt they could be special. But right now I don’t know if we’re better than last year, much less the best team we’ve ever had.”
However, Jarvis paused after that to give it a little more thought.
“That being said, even though it’s only been four games, there is a fire about this group that none of the other teams really had," Jarvis added. "They are playing fast, especially the defense, which has been the real story. The seniors on this team are playing with a sense of urgency like none of the other senior groups before them.”
The numbers are compelling.
The Hawks offense last year averaged 38.3 points per game -- second-best behind the 2013 group, which averaged 40.3 ppg. Through four games so far in 2015: 42.0 ppg.
The defense has allowed just 6.8 ppg so far in 2015 compared to 17.1 ppg last year -- which was the best-ever defense statistically for the Hawks. Through four games in 2015 the defense already has 10 takeaways and is yielding a miniscule 25.8 yards rushing a game and just 155.3 yards total.
Are things to good to be true so far?
“I think every coach feels that way because we are always looking to get better. We’re never really satisfied,” Jarvis said. “But, we’ve been injury-free for the most part and the kids have worked harder than just about any group we’ve had here.”
And if Jarvis didn’t have enough to be paranoid about: the Hawks (4-0, 1-0 Region 7-AAAAAA) are also, probably for the first time ever, a prohibitive favorite going into Friday’s annual showdown with North Gwinnett in what is always a Region 7-AAAAAA battle.
The only problem is that Mill Creek is 0-9 all-time against the Bulldogs (2-2, 0-1), who are also coming off a 52-23 shellacking at the hands of Collins Hill.
“Anything can happen on any given Friday night in high school football,” Jarvis said. “Records, stats, none of that matters in this game. It’s always a crazy game.
“North Gwinnett is a wounded team right now you can bet. I don’t feel like the favorite, especially having to go to their place.”
It has been a wild series of late. North Gwinnett has rallied from early and late deficits each of the last three meetings to pull off miraculous victories, none more dramatic than a 50-47 win in 2013 in Suwanee after trailing by 21 points in the second half.
However, until the last two years, the the Hawks never got closer than 16 points, so they have begun to narrow the gap. Jarvis said they are looking at the positives.
“(The 2013 game) was a tough one,” Jarvis said. “That’s why, no matter what the situation, you can never count out North Gwinnett. But we’ve gotten more competitive the last few years.”
The current Bulldogs, though, are young and have played like it at times. They are yielding an astounding 36 ppg on defense and their usually potent, up-tempo offense has been grounded for the most part, averaging 24.2 ppg.
“The spotlight will be on our defense,” Jarvis said. “North Gwinnett will score with the offense they have. Our task is to slow them down. Our defense is looking forward to the challenge.”
The Hawks are led by senior linebackers Sidney Otiwu and Aaron Anderson, senior defensive back Chase Turner, and senior defensive linemen Tyler Vernon and Peyton Moore.
Vernon and Moore have three sacks apiece and Anderson leads the team in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (6). Turner and Otiwu are the permanent captains.
Jarvis feels this could be a pivotal game for the immediate future for both programs.
“I think it’s a crossroads game for both of us,” Jarvis said. “The history of this series has not been kind to us. We’ve had some crazy things happen to us, especially at their place. Usually the team that plays the best defense and special teams wins this game. I don’t see anything different this time.
“We’ve been trying to reach that next level and a win over North Gwinnett I think would help push us a little closer to where we’ve been trying to get. And I’m sure they’re not ready to give up anything they’ve worked hard to build.”
Jarvis said whatever success they are enjoying now can be traced all the way back to January and the off-season workouts.
“The now senior class had a bad taste the way the season ended last year (a 24-6 loss to Grayson in the first round of the playoffs),” Jarvis said. “They came together and said they wanted to leave their mark in their senior year. They are holding each other accountable and trying to make each other better every day. It’s kind of hard to ask for more than that.”
Except for maybe a program-defining victory over one of your arch-rivals.
