By ADAM WELCH
pressbox1.com

MILAN - Milan broke open a close game with a blocked punt right before halftime, then took over with physical play in the second half as it topped visiting Huntingdon 53-27.

The Bulldogs avenged last year's season-opening, a 20-13 setback to Huntingdon at Paul Ward Stadidum and did so in front of a packed house at Johnnie Hale Stadium. Milan dedicated the field to Bob Parkins, the late publisher of the Milan Mirror-Exchange and long-time West Tennessee media icon.

It was a good start for the Bulldogs, who are touted as having one of the best teams in their school's history (which includes championships in 1971, 1977, 1998 and 1999, not to mention a runner-up spot in 1993). But Milan head coach Jeff Morris was reluctant to differentiate this team from any of the earlier squads.

“Well I don’t want to compare," he said. "We’ve had some good athletes come through here. Rod Smith is one of them.”

Smith was a Mr. Football back winner in 2003, the year Milan reached the Class 2A semifinals.

The two teams seemed to trade scores in the first half and it looked as if Huntingdon wasn't going to go down easily. The Bulldogs received the opening kickoff and wasted little time on their first possession. After Bledsoe’s 12-yard run, the drive ended with Jobrinski Gilbert’s runs of 25 and 30 for the score. The PAT was no good giving the Bulldogs an early 6-0 lead.

The Mustangs answered on third-and-six at their own 28 when Daniel Thomas went 72 yards untouched on the delayed reverse. The PAT was good, giving Huntingdon a 7-6 lead with 9:08 left in the first quarter. After the kickoff, the Stangs Dakota Jordan recovered a Milan fumble. Huntingdon converted two key third-down runs on the drive. Keenan Holder finished it off on the 7-yard TD sweep. The PAT was good giving the Stangs a 14-6 lead with 3:49 to go in the first quarter.

Then Milan’s Preston Peoyples saw action in the backfield. He broke free with a 29-yard pickup to the Milan 5. From there, quarterback Coleman went five-yards on the keeper for the touchdown. Milan’s two-point try knotted the score at 14. After exchanging turnovers, Huntingdon quarterback Colin Hatch found Caleb Crocker on the slant over the middle for a big gainer into Bulldog territory. The drive then halted as Crocker was stopped short on fourth down.

Then the play of the game happened. Milan’s J.W. Williams electrified the crowd after making a catch, reversing field, juking defenders 80 yards up the right sideline to paydirt. The extra point kick was good giving Milan a 21-14 lead with 7:09 left in the first half.

Huntingdon went to the air with completions to Brittian Thompson and Caleb Crocker on big plays of 47 and 27 yards. Caleb Crocker plunged over from 6 yards out cutting the Milan lead to 21-20.

On the kickoff, Milan’s explosiveness showed on the squib by Caleb Crocker. Milan's Preston Peoyples found a seam and darted 65 yards up the left sideline untouched. The PAT was good giving Milan a 28-20 lead with 5:00 left before half. Milan’s athletic ability gave the Mustangs trouble throughout the contest.

Milan’s Chris Bledsoe sparked the Bulldogs with a blocked punt before the half. Quarterback Justin Coleman then hooked up with Dominique Moore to the Stang’s 5. After a QB spike with nine seconds left, Jobronski Gilbert went off left guard for the touchdown. Gilbert finished with 143 yards and four touchdowns for the night. This gave the Bulldogs a 34-20 lead and more importantly, momentum going into the locker room.

Coach Morris said, “I felt like scoring right before the half was huge with the blocked punt. But I never felt safe enough.”

Milan’s physical play up front in the second half was the difference. The Bulldogs kept the ball on the ground most of the third quarter and wore Huntingdon out. Tim Adkisson’s running and Beau Vandiver’s interception keyed Milan’s third quarter. Then quarterback Justin Coleman hit Adkisson for 22 yards to the Huntingdon 14. This led to another Milan score giving it a 47-20 lead. Coleman hit Williams on a 71-yard pass. Williams cut across the field late for the final touchdown of the evening.

“Huntingdon’s got a young team. They will be around at season’s end. We’re just proud to be 1-0. We’re going to come in here Monday and work hard.”

Huntingdon will host Dyer County at Paul Ward Stadium Friday night and hopes to avenge last year's 26-0 shocking loss at Harmon Field in Newbern. Milan, meanwhile, visits Gibson County. Kickoff for both games is 7:30.