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Panther freshmen have undefeated season

The Starrs Mill ninth grade Panthers (6-0) went into their seventh and final game of the season hoping to clinch the season earning their final victory over the Whitewater Wildcats also (6-0) in a grudge match Thursday, Oct. 14.

The Panthers and Wildcats did not generate any points in the first quarter. The two teams seemed evenly matched in size and speed. Starr’s Mill’s Blake Debartola recorded a sack against the Wildcats but Whitewater ventually socred on the drive and took a 7-0 lead. The Wildcats defensive line was strong holding the Panthers running game, so the Panthers took to the air, the first pass proved to be a mistake when it was intercepted by the Wildcats. Once again the Panther defense on the field trying to hold back the Wildcats and set up a score for the offense. Yoshi Fujii got back to back sacks and pushed the Wildcats back deep. A third sack by the Panthers defense led to a Wildcat fumble and allowed Parker DuPont to take the ball inside the ten yard line for the Panthers. Starr’s Mill’s attempts to score both on the ground and in the air were stopped dead by the Wildcats. Whitewater’s next drive stalled and Starr’s Mill fought hard with two minutes left in the second quarter. Chris Sudduth blocked a punt which allowed Parker DuPont to pick up and run it in for the Panthers first touchdown making it a 7-7 game at the half.

The second half was as grueling as the first half and both teams exchanged fumbles, turnovers, sacks, gains and losses. The Panthers finally seemed to get the break they were looking for as they drove the ball down to the Wildcats four yard line. With eight seconds left in the final quarter, the Panthers had a fourth down with four yards to go. The Panthers field goal unit was on the field and set up for a possible game winning field goal by Nick Fevella. Both teams took back to back time outs before the kick to discuss strategy. The kick was a wobbly one, low only clearing the horizontal upright by what looked to be inches and dead center through the uprights. The officials raised their hands and chaos broke out on the Panther sideline. Starr’s Mill won 10-7 over the Whitewater Wildcats, clinching a perfect season (7-0).