LAWRENCEVILLE — Class AAAAAAA No. 1 Mill Creek scored 24 unanswered points to pull away from Archer in a 31-10 win in a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinals.
Both defenses were dominant as Mill Creek (4-0) managed just 212 total yards -- its lowest output of the season -- and Archer (1-2) had just 201 yards for the game.
But the Hawks were opportunistic taking advantage of short fields and getting some help from their defense. Anthony Presto gave them a 7-0 lead on a 3-yard run but the Tigers answered with a field goal to cut the lead to 7-3 in the first quarter.
Mill Creek got a short field and then a 20-yard touchdown pass from Cameron Turley to Ace Williams early in the second pushed the lead to 14-3. On the Tigers next drive Jonathan Gipson took a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown to give the Hawks a 21-3 lead.
Brenton King then pushed the Hawks’ lead to 24-3 by halftime with a school-record 56-yard field goal.
Early in the third quarter, on a another short field, Turley connected with Edmond Graham on another 20-yard touchdown pass for a 31-3 lead.
Archer scored a late touchdown for the final score.
Mill Creek had four turnovers but the defense was able to pick up its offense producing a pair of Archer turnovers.
