Round 1 | Milledgeville vs Abingdon-Avon
Milledgeville -
Milledgeville came into Saturday as the #8 seed, playing host to the Abingdon-Avon Tornadoes who entered with the #9 seed. The Missiles were in search of their first playoff win since 2008, when the Missiles last advanced to the state semifinals. But, the Tornadoes were standing in their way in what was projected to be a very tight match-up.
Milledgeville wasted no time in this game, as on the first play from scrimmage the Tornadoes looked confused on a QB option, as they fumbled the ball for a 7 yard loss and the Missiles pounded on it. Then on the first play for the Missiles, Carson Boyer struck pay dirt as he ran the ball in from 23 yards out with only 22 seconds off the game clock to take a 6-0 lead.
On their next offensive series the Tornadoes would be forced into a 3 and out by the Missile defense and were forced to punt. Milledgeville would have great field position to work with and 55 yards later they were in the end zone again, this time Jacob Hartje punching it in from 1 yard out. The 2 point try was good as Milledgeville increased their lead to 14-0 with 7:18 left in the 1st quarter.
A-Town, as the Tornadoes are affectionately known as, would begin their 3rd series from their own 30 yard line. Behind the legs of their hard running halfback Jay Allbright, they would cross into Milledgeville territory for the first time of the game. However, it was short lived as the Missile defense came up with a 4th down stop at their own 43 yard line to regain possession.
On the very next play, it was Boyer again taking one to the house, as he ran off a 57 yard TD run with 4:48 still remaining in the 1st quarter to give the Missiles a 20-0 lead, and the route was on.
Boyer would score 2 more times in the first half on a 19 yard run and a 54 yard run, as he had 10 carries for 200 yards and 4 TD in the first half. The Missiles would score on every drive in the first half to take a 40-7 lead into half time as Milledgeville cruised to their 1st round victory 56-21.
Boyer led the charge for the Missiles as he racked up 196 yards on 11 carries with 4 TD. Jack Munz ran the ball for 75 yards and 1 TD, while Nathan Rahn picked up 78 yards on the ground. Jacob Hartje finished with 34 yards and 2 TD.
At the 5 minute mark of the 3rd quarter, Jay Allbright had 13 carries for 60 yards and 1 TD for the Tornadoes. Lukas Tinkham was 8-19 passing for 98 yards, and his leading receiver was Dylan Klockenga who had 3 receptions for 46 yards.
Milledgeville advances to play the #1 seed Lena-Winslow Panthers who will enter the game with a perfect 10-0 mark after their 1st round over Stark County.