LITTLE ROCK — Behind two touchdowns each from Omar Avance and Dwayne Davis, Mills defeated Little Rock McClellan 42-14 in 5A-Central action Friday night at Comet Field.
Mills led 28-7 at halftime.
Two touchdowns were scored by Mills on returns in the first half, one on a 47-yard punt return by Jalen Clark and Jacob Cranford’s 86-yard kickoff return opened up the game.
The Comets scored on their first possession, driving 74 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 4-yard run by Avance, to take a 7-0 lead with 4:54 left in the first quarter. Avance also kicked the extra point, and made all six.
After Mills held the Lions to three-and-out, Clark scored on his punt return for a 14-0 lead with 4:14 in the first quarter.
A McClellan fumble recovery on the Comets’ 28 set up the Lions’ only score of the first half. After a 1-yard loss, substitute quarterback Sydney Tillman hit Eloy Gonzalez for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 10:58 left in the first half. Gonzalez converted the extra point for the 14-7 score.
Jacob Cranford took the ensuing kickoff and weaved his way through the field for a 21-7 lead with 10:45 left in the first half.
Mills’ fourth score of the first half came on a five-play, 84-yard drive, capped by a 2-yard run by Dwayne Davis, for the 28-7 halftime score. Avance provided most of the yards with a 44-yard run.
Mills scored again late in the third quarter on a 2-yard run by Avance.
Penalties after the touchdown forced Mills to kick off from its 7, creating a short field for the Lions that led to their second touchdown. After McClellan started at the Comets’ 29, quarterback Demarcus Quince finished the drive with a 3-yard touchdown run with 10:35 left in the game. Gonzalez converted his second extra point for a 35-14 score.
Davis had an 18-yard scoring run with 6:04 left for the final points.
Sports, Pages 27 on 09/22/2012