HOSCHTON — Mill Creek used an opportunistic defense and a big second quarter to pull away from Collins for a 45-13 victory Friday night to open Region 6-AAAAAAA play.
The Hawks (4-1, 1-0 Region 6-AAAAAAA) led 14-7 early in the second quarter on the strength of two Uriah Leverette touchdown runs. After Brody Longenecker connected with Parker Wroble for a 45-yard touchdown pass to make it 21-7, the defense crushed any plans the Eagles (2-3, 0-1) had for a comeback.
Brock Skinner scooped up a Collins Hill fumble and rambled 29 yards for a score and then on the next possession Shaka Heyward recovered a fumble in the end zone for another Mill Creek score and a 35-7 lead by halftime.
The Hawks pushed the lead to 42-7 early in the third quarter. Collins Hill got an 80-yard touchdown run to cut it to 42-13 and Matt Campbell drilled a 53-yard field goal for the Hawks for the final points of the game.
Campbell set a new single-game school-record with nine touchbacks on kickoffs. Leverette finished with 140 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries rushing. Longenecker was 6-of-11 for 89 yards and a touchdown passing for Mill Creek.
The Hawks will travel to North Gwinnett next week in an early battle of region unbeatens. The Bulldogs survived for a 27-14 win over Mountain View Friday in their opener.
