By Rob Ludwig
MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — Milton Howell passed for 392 yards and three touchdowns as No. 7-ranked Navarro routed No. 8 Georgia Military 35-7 on Saturday at Davenport Stadium.
Navarro’s stout defense limited Georgia Military to 10 rushing yards and 108 total yards.
The Bulldogs (2-0) had 503 yards total offense.
Navarro scored first on the second play of the second quarter when running back Derrick Hall took a swing pass from Howell and outraced the Georgia Military secondary for 78 yards and a touchdown.
Howell extended the lead in the waning moments of the first half when he marched the Bulldogs 72 yards downfield. Howell completed passes of 8 and 15 yards to Jefferson Hayes and 16 yards to DePauldrick Garrett before finding Marcus Jackson in the back of the end zone from the 14.
Juve Sanchez added his second extra point of the afternoon for a 14-0 lead at the 1:16 mark of the second period. Howell completed 4 of 6 passes on the drive and added a 11-yard run.
Georgia Military started four drives in Navarro territory, but managed only a 23-yard field goal attempt that was blocked by Brandon Joiner.
Howell completed 13 of 21 passes for 189 yards in the first half, completing four passes to Hayes and three to LaVoyd James.
Georgia Military was limited to 15 rushing yards on 16 carries and managed only 66 yards total offense in the half.
Defensive tackle Justin Williams and end Toby Jackson had one sack apiece for the Bulldogs in the opening 30 minutes.
Georgia Military got a break at the outset of the second half when Trenston Hill fumbled the kickoff at the Navarro 27. Jackson recorded his second sack, but a roughing the passer penalty pushed the ball to the 15. On fourth and goal from the 3, Georgia Military quarterback Chris Hart was intercepted in the end zone by safety Trevor Drayton.
Navarro promptly marched 75 yards downfield behind the legs and arm of Howell. The sophomore had an 18-yard run prior to his 26-yard scoring toss to Hayes for a 21-0 lead midway in the third period.
Georgia Military’s lone score was an 80-yard interception return by Emory Hawkins late in the third period, pulling GMC within 21-7.
Hayes set up Navarro’s second touchdown of the half with a 45-yard reception to the GMC 1. Garrett scored on the following play for a 28-7 Navarro lead with 11:46 left in the game.
Damien Johnson completed the scoring with 3:03 remaining when he knifed over from the GM 2, giving the Bulldogs a commanding 28-point lead.
