Mustang turnaround
MILTON — Almost a year ago, Belmont Hill’s offense had its way with Milton Academy.
The Mustangs defense remembered that and decided it wasn’t going to happen again.
Milton Academy’s defense set the tone against the Hillies yesterday, paving the way to an 18-13 Independent School League win at Stokinger Field.
“Our defense played great,” said Milton Academy coach Kevin MacDonald. “I can’t even mention one guy because it was so many guys who played well. The defense came to play.”
While the defense held up its end of the bargain, Milton Academy (31) got just enough offense from running backs Kalel Mullings (21 carries, 163 yards) and Tom Urquhart.
The Mustangs also caught a pivotal break midway through the fourth quarter leading, 12-7. Belmont Hill (2-2) was called for a personal foul after a bad snap on a Milton Academy punt would have given the Hillies great field position.
Instead, the Mustangs made the most of their second chance and Urquhart scampered in from 15 yards out to create some cushion, 18-7, with 2:32 left.
“They were blitzing hard off the outside so I just cut it up and there was red carpet right to the end zone,” Urquhart said. “It was a good feeling to seal the game like that.”
Belmont Hill’s offense came to life, though, and drove 86 yards in 1:05 as Michael Piazza (15-of-28, 195 yards) ran it in from 3 yards out for his second rushing score to cut the deficit to 18-13, but the Hillies couldn’t get any closer.
With strong play from John Minicus (two sacks), the Mustangs controlled things from the start by forcing back-to-back three-and-outs.
Milton Academy scored on its first two possessions as J.J. Mun hit his first of two field goals and Mullings scored on a 1-yard run for a 9-0 first-quarter lead.
And it was just the start the Mustangs hoped for after falling behind Belmont Hill early last season.
“(We wanted to) come out, punch them in the mouth, go and score and do something on the first couple of possessions and show them that we’re here to play,” Mullings said.