HOSCHTON — Mill Creek featured one of the most feared ground attacks in all of Georgia last season. Look for a little more balance in 2015, however, as the Hawks replace quarterback Daniel David and running back Johnathan Hawkins, who both graduated.
The Hawks will still look to run the ball but senior Daniel LeConte is their biggest returning rusher with just 128 yards on 14 carries all of last season. New quarterback Cameron Turley, a junior, is more of a drop-back passer and coach Shannon Jarvis said they will have a more traditional approach as they try to take advantage of Turley's throwing ability.
But the key to the season may well rest on a loaded defense that returns two of their top three leading tacklers in senior linebackers Aaron Anderson (90 tackles) and Sidney Otiwu (85 tackles, 2 safeties, 2 INT, 1 TD), as well as senior defensive end Tyler Vernon, who posted 14 sacks in 2014.
Mill Creek's season also may hinge on its finish. Over the final three weeks of the season the Hawks travel to Collins Hill and then play host to Norcross and Peachtree Ridge in Region 7-AAAAAA..
In the same finish a year ago they went 3-0 to capture of share of their first-ever region title.
MILL CREEK: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Hawks
- TEAM COLORS: Vegas gold, Navy blue and Cardinal red
- CURRENT REGION: 7-AAAAAA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Shannon Jarvis, 12th season, 60-58
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 7-4, reached Class AAAAAA first round
- KEY LOSSES: QB Daniel David, RB Johnathan Hawkins, LB Tyler Voyles
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: spread -- The Hawks like to use a power running game to control the ball, but they will throw when necessary
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 3 returning starters -- Sr. Daniel LeConte (leading returning rusher, 14-128), Jr. QB Cameron Turley, Sr. OL Robbie Bell, Jr. OL Jack Franklin, Jr. OL Tyler Fannin, Jr. OL Nick Campbell, Sr. WR Miles Riley, Jr. RB Edmund Graham, Jr. RB Preston Norwood, Jr. RB Jack Plummer, Sr. RB Tre Alston
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-3 -- Mill Creek uses an attacking defense with fast, aggressive linebackers to shut down the run.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. LB Aaron Anderson (90 tackles), Sr. LB Sidney Otiwu (85 tackles, 2 safeties, 2 INT, 1 TD), Sr. LB Micah Bull, Sr. DE Tyler Vernon (14 sackes), Sr. DE Peyton Moore, Jr. DB Jamar Hall, Sr. DB Chase Turner, Sr. DB Kishawn Miller
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. Brenton King, Sr. Daniel Lohman, Jr. Nick Rice will all battle for the PK and P spots, Sr. Cole Ragon is a 3-year starter as the LS
- STRENGTH: Defense -- the unit should be outstanding with 7 returning starters, led by Anderson, Otiwu and Vernon. It will have to play well as the offense reloads and progresses early on.
- QUESTION: Offense -- the Hawks will replace all their offensive skill positions from a unit that averaged over 40 points per game during the 2014 regular season.
- KEY GAMES: The Hawks open with Brookwood in the Dome in the Corky Kell Classic and later travel to Dacula in a showdown of teams within 5 miles of each other. They also have a tough 7-AAAAAA finish with Collins Hill, Norcross, and Peachtree Ridge but the final two are at home. That could make or break the Hawks' playoff chances.
- TRENDING: Mill Creek has been on the upswing for several years and shared its first-ever region title last season. But, they have never had back-to-back playoff seasons. Jarvis is hoping they can break that streak this season.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 22 vs. Brookwood (Georgia Dome), 11:45 a.m.
Aug. 28 vs. West Forsyth
Sept. 4 at Dacula
Sept. 18 vs. *Duluth
Sept. 25 at *North Gwinnett
Oct. 2 vs. *Meadowcreek
Oct. 9 at *Mountain View
Oct. 23 at *Collins Hill
Oct. 30 vs. *Norcross
Nov. 6 vs. *Peachtree Ridge
*- indicates region game
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/8/327995/2015-football-preview-mill-creek