HOSCHTON — Mill Creek finally got its offense going in the fourth quarter on Friday -- but it was not enough to overcome Archer's three quarters worth of work.
The Hawks scored two second half touchdowns and played tough defense throughout but could not find enough offensive traction in succumbing to the Tigers 16-13 in Hoschton.
Mill Creek ended up with 138 total yards -- as compared with 308 for Archer, as the visitors pushed ahead to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter.
Yet Shaka Heyward got the Hawks (3-1) on the board in the third quarter, ripping down an interception and returning it 18 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers responded with an 18-yard touchdown run for a 16-6 lead, but Uriah Leverette manufactured his own response for Mill Creek in the fourth quarter, scoring from three yards to set up a nail-biting finish in a top 10 Class AAAAAAA battle.
The Hawks moved near midfield with their final possession, but a holding call derailed the drive -- which eventually ended in an interception that allowed the Tigers to run out the clock.
Mill Creek will take a bye next week before jumping into region play on Sept. 22 against Collins Hill.
