It seems that every Friday night something spectacular happens on a high school football field in Gwinnett County. Last Friday night was one game that proved worthy of extra note. I was fortunate to be in the house in Suwanee to witness what has to be the best game of the 2013 season. For four quarters Mill Creek and North Gwinnett waged a battle that left everybody from players, and coaches to parents, and parking lot attendants physically and emotionally drained.
The Hawks held a 21 point lead over the state’s number one team and on it’s sideline fans were beaming. It looked like Mill Creek would do something that had never been done since the school opened and vanquish the Bulldogs on the gridiron.
Rocky Hidalgo was fairly certain of the outcome, so much so that he started walking toward the gate to leave. Hidalgo, you see, is the head coach at Walton High School in Cobb County. His Raiders had the night off, so he thought it might be worth his while to make the long drive to Gwinnett to get a peep at a potential playoff opponent. ” Either one of these teams could win the state championship this year,” said Hidalgo.” Both teams are just that good .”
With under 7 minutes left and some of the big Homecoming crowd starting to leave, Bob Sphire’s team threw everything it had into a furious rally that was capped off by C.J. Leggett’s touchdown run.
The scoreboard read North Gwinnett 50 Mill Creek 47, as the Hawks headed home with a heartbreaking loss. It is their third region loss and may well seal their fate as the odd team out in the 7-AAAAAA.
Oh, by the way, Hidalgo hung around to watch the finish and on his back to Cobb County he had but one comment.” Un believable!!!”