Wednesday, October 11, 2000
Wednesday, October 11, 2000 |
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Local football teams have tough week By MICHAEL BOYLAN The sixth week of the high school football season played out the same way the previous five weeks had. Starr's Mill and East Coweta stayed undefeated, Sandy Creek played another close game against tough competition, Landmark Christian, McIntosh and Fayette County had difficulties stopping their opponents, while Northgate clicked on all cylinders and won. The Starr's Mill Panthers (6-0) have been put to the test this season and they responded again Friday, defeating the Lovejoy Wildcats, 21-15. The Panthers fell behind 9-0 in the first quarter, but came back in the second quarter scoring 14 unanswered points. Quarterback Brad McClaren scored the first touchdown on an eight-yard run, while Jaosn Laney scored the second touchdown from two yards out. The Panthers' defense played as solidly as they have all year and the Wildcats continually shot themselves in the foot with penalties. Starr's Mill scored again in the third quarter on a one-yard run from Laney, but Lovejoy would capitalize on a missed snap during a punt to bring the score to 21-15. The Panthers then got big interceptions from Neil Sebastian and Reuben Houston to protect the lead and salvage the win. The Panthers, now ranked 10th in AAAAA, will travel to face the Stockbridge Tigers (1-4) this Friday. East Coweta (5-0) hosted Evans (4-2) Friday and got a big win for the team. The Indians won 21-6 and moved into first place in the subregion. They have another big game ahead of them this weekend as they travel to Twelve Oaks Stadium in Hampton to take on Lovejoy Saturday afternoon. The two teams play a similar style of ball and should match up very well. Nothing has come easy for the Sandy Creek Patriots (3-2) this year, as every one of their opponents has played them tough. Last Friday the Patriots traveled to Jones County and left victorious, producing a 12-9 win. The Patriots' stingy defense played its usual brand of intense ball and the offense was good enough to produce more points than their opponents. Sandy Creek looks for an easier game this week when they host Heritage (2-3). In other Patriot news, running back J.R Lemon was recently nominated for the 2000 Wendy's High School Heisman Award. Lemon has been co-captain or captain of the football team since ninth grade, has been named All League, All County, All State and All American and has set school records for most yards rushing, most all-purpose yards, most touchdowns, most rushing attempts and most yards per carry. The Landmark Christian War Eagles (1-5) knew they had their work cut out for them when they traveled to Bremen (5-1) last Friday. The War Eagles offense has been inconsistent this season and the defense, which has been brilliant at times, has been unable to force their opponents into making costly mistakes. Bremen defeated Landmark 21-0, handing them their fourth consecutive loss this season. McIntosh traveled to Newnan to take on the Cougars Friday and lost 42-7. The Chiefs controlled the clock, using up 36 minutes to the Cougars' 12, but Newnan made the most out of the time they had the ball. Newnan's Rod Gray ran the ball for 244 yards on five carries. He sat out for the second half. Jim O'Shea scored for the Chiefs in the fourth quarter, capping off an 80-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run. McIntosh (1-4) hosts Riverdale (3-3) this Friday night. Fayette County battled the Henry County Warhawks Friday and lost 26-21. The Tigers got their offense going last week, but could not stop Henry County when they needed to. The Tigers will celebrate their homecoming this Friday when they host Jonesboro (3-3). Fayette County will enter the game with a lot of enthusiasm as they have something to prove. If they can get both parts of their game working, they could produce a much-needed win. Northgate got their game back on track Friday with a 49-21 win over Callaway. The team got great performances from Marlon Cruver and Dominique Partridge on offense and as well as getting a supberb effort from the defense. Northgate gets a breather this week before they travel to take on Greenville Oct. 20. |
