Mustangs leave their mark
Milton wins battle of ISL unbeatens MILTON ACADEMY 48 BELMONT HILL 25
MILTON — Coming off what coach Kevin Macdonald admitted was a highly disappointing campaign a year ago, the Milton Academy football team has been out to deliver a message this fall. On Saturday, Belmont Hill received it – loud and clear.
The host Mustangs jumped out to a three-touchdown lead a little over nine minutes into the battle of the Independent School League’s last two unbeaten teams and rode five scores from Michigan-bound AllAmerican Kalel Mullings to a 48-25 victory, improving to 6-0 and seizing control of the league title race.
“I think we are the best team in the state, and I think we proved it today,” said Mullings.
Mullings played the majority of his offensive snaps at wide receiver, looking to give the Hillies matchup problems, and it did. Quarterback Jake Willcox was 15-of-19 for 243 yards, connecting nine times with a mostly uncoverable and unstoppable Mullings for 158 of them and all three of his touchdowns.
“That kid can play anywhere on the field,” said
Willcox of Mullings. “The line blocked great. I had all day, which makes my job easier, especially with the athletes we have out there.”
Mullings and Luke Thorbahn also added a pair of rushing scores each, with Thorbahn racking up 106 yards on the ground as the primary back.
But as impressive as the offense was on the day, it was an opportunistic defense that set the tone for the win, forcing four turnovers. Through six games, Milton Academy has taken the ball away 21 times without relinquishing it once to the opposition.
After Milton Academy drove for a touchdown on its opening drive, Mitchell Gonser made a tumbling interception, and the Mustangs capitalized for a 14-0 lead. Belmont Hill fumbled on its next snap, resulting in a scoop-and-score for Zach Brooks. It was nullified by a taunting call on the runback, but three plays later were Mustangs were back in the end zone for a 21-0 edge with 2:55 still left in the first quarter.
Belmont Hill (5-1) moved the ball effectively, but the turnover bug kept biting. At 27-7, Mullings snatched a fade pass away in end zone for an interception, and Milton Academy went into the locker room with 34-13 advantage.
Out of halftime, the Hillies drove into Mustang territory but a jarring hit by Brooks caused another fumble. A 68-yard march essentially put the game away midway through the third quarter at 41-13, capped by Mullings’ fifth TD as Willcox looked left, then rolled right to find him at the back right pylon.
“That’s been the story of the season,” said Macdonald of the turnover margin. “If we continue to do that, things will probably turn out pretty well.”