Three takeaways from Mill Creek's win over Buford

Wolves had several missed opportunities; Look: photo gallery

Author:
Colin Hubbard
Publish date:
Oct 14, 2023 5:38 AM EDT

HOSCHTON, GEORGIA – The Mill Creek Hawks have achieved all of the goals they have set out to accomplish over the past 12 months, except for one.

Beat the Buford Wolves.

In last year’s first-ever meeting between the two Class 7A powers in Georgia, it was the Wolves who came out victorious, 39-27, on their home turf. On Friday night, with a chance to exact some revenge on the Wolves in front of a packed house and a national TV audience on ESPN2, the Hawks did just that.

Behind two fourth-quarter touchdown passes from Hawks junior quarterback Shane Throgmartin, including the game-winner to senior Justin Content, the Hawks secured a 31-24 win over the Wolves to remain unbeaten on the season. ,

The Hawks, who are currently ranked No. 12 in the nation by SBLive/Sports Illustrated, not only pulled the upset Friday night against the Wolves, who entered the match-up ranked No. 4 in the nation, but now find themselves in the driver's seat to win the Region 8-7A Championship at seasons end.

“What a high school game,” Mill Creek head coach Josh Lovelady said. “It was a playoff atmosphere. I cautioned (my team) to not let this crowd and this game get to them. I thought our kids bought into that and didn’t let themselves get into too many peaks and valleys. It was back-and-forth and our kids stayed steady. That’s what I’m proud of. They didn’t panic.”

Content caught three passes for 47 yards, hauled in the game-winning 21-yard touchdown with 1:20 remaining in the fourth quarter.

He then played hero on defense for the Hawks and tipped a would-be game-tying touchdown away from Buford’s Deronte Broughton in the back of the end zone as time expired.

At the half, the Wolves led the Hawks 17-10 after Buford quarterback Dylan Raiola, a Georgia commit and the nation's No. 1 player, found Tyshun White for a touchdown in the closing seconds of the second quarter.

In the second half, however, the Wolves offense beat themselves and failed to score any points.

After the Hawks got the game tied up at 17-17 thanks to a Cam Robinson touchdown run, the Wolves failed to punch the ball into the end zone after getting down to the 1-yard line.

Running back Jordan Baker dropped a sure-fire touchdown pass from Raiola, and then were stuffed on back-to-back plays from the 2-yard line, turning the ball over on downs to the Hawks.

But even as costly as that drop was for the Wolves, they still managed to put themselves in a great position to take a lead late in the fourth quarter.

A pick-six from sophomore defensive back Nassir McCoy knotted the game up at 24-24 with just over 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and after a quick three-and-out by the Hawks, the Wolves appeared to have taken a 31-24 lead on a 55-yard catch-and-run from Raiola to Jordan Allen.

But the touchdown was called back for a penalty on the Wolves, and they were later forced to punt, which ultimately set up Mill Creek’s game-winning touchdown drive that ended with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Shane Throgmartin to Content.

The Wolves were able to march down to the Hawks’ 8-yard line with five seconds remaining, and very nearly were able to score as time expired before Content saved the day with a pass breakup.

“We made too many mistakes on our end and left some plays out there,” Buford head coach Bryant Appling said. “You can blame 1,000 different scenarios, but we didn’t make enough plays to win the game. That’s the bottom line. (Mill Creek) made enough to win the game.”

Three Takeaways from Mill Creek - Buford

Buford 5-star quarterback Dylan Raiola made enough plays to win the game

There will be no blame placed on Buford senior quarterback Dylan Raiola for their 31-24 loss on the road at Mill Creek Friday night.

The senior finished his night 18 of 45 for 274 yards and two touchdowns, and should have had two more if not for a dropped pass and a procedure penalty. His receivers also did Raiola no favors Friday night in what was a rainy night in Georgia. Upwards of 10 passes were dropped by Wolves receivers.

Raiola was able to escape pressure and keep his eyes downfield all night against a very good Mill Creek defense. And thanks to a non-existent running game, he was forced to throw the ball 45 times. The Wolves were held to just 15 rushing yards on 15 attempts.

Buford QB Dylan Raioloa (15) escapes the rush of Mill Creek's Elan Baugham (19). 11/13/2023 — Buford's Dylan Raiola (15) was under duress all night, but still made enough plays to give his team a chance to win. (Photo by Colin Hubbard)
Photo by Colin Hubbard

There’s no better quarterback in the state of Georgia than Raiola, and the Wolves will be just fine as they inch closer to the playoffs.

Mill Creek quarterback Shane Throgmartin has ice in his veins

Most young quarterbacks would fold under pressure after throwing a fourth-quarter pick-six against a nationally-ranked team on ESPN to tie the game up at 24-24.

But not Mill Creek’s Shane Throgmartin, who put his lone mistake of the game behind him in a hurry and helped lead them on a game-winning drive minutes later.

Starting on their own 40, Throgmarin attempted just two passes on their final drive of the night, but his second was a perfectly placed 21-yard fade to Justin Content down the left sidelines for a touchdown.

Mill Creek's Shane Throgmartin 11/13/2023 — On a rainy night in Georgia, Mill Creek quarterback Shane Throgmartin showed poise and resiliency in leading the Hawks to victory in their nationally televised showdown with Buford.
Photo by Colin Hubbard

One of the Hawks’ biggest question marks this season was at quarterback. With Throgmartin taking over the starting job this season, he has looked great and has the Hawks in position to win the Region 8-7A championship in a few weeks.

The Hawks can win another Class 7A state championship in 2023

When it comes to teams that can win a Class 7A state championship in 2023, Mill Creek is on a shortlist.

After winning the 2022 Class 7A state championship in dominating fashion, not many around the state of Georgia gave the Hawks much of a chance heading into the season. While many expected the Hawks to still be a Top 10 team in Class 7A team, no one was ready to put them in the conversation to win another state championship.

But after knocking off Buford Friday night, the Hawks have now won 15 games in a row dating back to last season, and will all but likely be ranked as the No. 1 team in the state of Georgia come next week.

Mill Creek's Trajen Greco (3) celebrates a pass breakup against Buford's John Gibbons in the end zone. (Photo by Colin Hubbard)
Photo by Colin Hubbard

Mill Creek can absolutely win the Class 7A state championship this season, and they should be the favorites moving forward.

The Hawks might not have quite the same firepower they had one season ago, but with one of the best coaching staffs in the state and experience at nearly every position, the Hawks are going to be a very tough out in the playoffs.

(All photos by Colin Hubbard)