Gwinnett Daily Post

DULUTH -- Still in the hunt for a playoff spot, Duluth came in to Friday night's Homecoming game against Meadowcreek looking for its second straight victory. The Wildcats got a solid defensive effort and managed to climb in the region standings as they picked up a 30-0 victory.

"We didn't play our best game," Duluth head coach Corey Jarvis said. "Sometimes you've got to get some ugly wins... we kind of looked ahead a little bit."

Junior quarterback Will Delorenzo looked solid, completing 9 of 13 pass attempts in the opening half. However, he did throw two interceptions, both of which occurred in the opposition's end zone.

The Wildcat defense was responsible for the second score of the game as Meadowcreek (0-7, 0-4, 7-AAAAA) running back Ryan Moore was tackled in the end zone for a safety. Duluth (4-3, 2-2) converted the ensuing possession into a Matthew Randle score to extend the Duluth advantage to 16-0.

Duluth was not terribly sharp, but it did enough to win against a Meadowcreek squad that was shut out for the fourth time this season. The Wildcats missed tackles and were not able to end some promising drives due to missed opportunities and the aforementioned turnovers.

Delorenzo threw for 134 yards, and running back Henry Enyenihi ran for 86 yards on 13 carries.

Duluth halted a three-game slide last week in a win against Mountain View and desperately needed a win to stay in the thick of things in a competitive 7-AAAAA.

Duluth is now tied for third in the region at 2-2 thanks to a loss by Norcross. The Wildcats came into the game tied with Mill Creek, which also was defeated Friday night.

"It's going be a playoff in every game that we play." Jarvis said. "Hopefully our kids will come out better next time."

With the win, Duluth will move on to play first-place Peachtree Ridge in a game that will have major playoff ramifications and a chance for Duluth to fix some things, according to Jarvis.

"Defensively we have to tackle better, offensively we've got to fine tune our front. We didn't play that well. Peachtree Ridge has a great defensive front and if we don't play well it is going to be a tough ball game."