By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

The weather was a little cooler last Friday, but the action in the third week of high school football was hot. Starr's Mill and Sandy Creek hosted games while McIntosh and Fayette County played on the road. As the season gets closer to the midway point, each game takes on much more significance.

Sandy Creek kept their winning streak alive, but it was an ugly game. The Patriots, despite jumping out to a 13-0 lead, made several turnovers, keeping the Eagle's Landing Eagles in the game. There were definitely moments of brilliance though. Mark Lawson was impressive at tailback, making huge runs on almost every one of his carries and Andre Green did an decent job at quarterback. The mistakes that were made though would be costly against a team of higher caliber. Sandy Creek has a bye this weekend and you can bet that Coach Rodney Walker is going to have those boys carrying around footballs for the next two weeks. The Patriots have already exceeded last year's win total and will host Forest Park on Oct.1.

Starr's Mill stayed unbeaten as well this week as they defeated the Henry County Warhawks, 37-14. As impressive as the 23 point victory looks, the Panthers only had a 7-6 lead at the half. The offense exploded for 21 points in the third quarter though, mostly from LaDon Cooper who ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Brad McClaren was sharp as well, as he hit Bo Clark for a 68 yard touchdown reception. The Panthers improve to 3-0 and travel to play the winless Eagle's Landing Eagles on Friday night.

Fayette County captured a win over LaGrange on Friday to improve to 2-1. There was not a lot of offense for either team but the Tigers eked out a 12-7 victory. It was a defensive battle that the Tigers won, making several key stops on their way to victory. Both the offensive and defensive line of the Tigers played very well. Their experience paid off and has now put the Tigers in a good position within the region standings.

Newnan lost at home to East Coweta on Friday night, so LaGrange, Upson-Lee, and East Coweta are both at 1-2. Newnan, Griffin, Carver and Fayette County are both at 2-1, while Lovejoy is at 3-0. Fayette County hosts the wily Carver Tigers this Friday night, while Griffin hosts Lovejoy and Newnan hosts LaGrange. If the ball bounces right for the Tigers, they could be alone in second place on Saturday morning.

Things look very bleak for the McIntosh Chiefs. In their first three games they have allowed 147 points (49 ppg). While in a rebuilding year, and having to rebuild again in the second week when quarterback Luke Wiggs got injured, McIntosh is looking for an easier game and some positive things to happen. That game might be this Friday. The Chiefs lost to Carver on Friday night by a score of 47-3 and face Stockbridge at home this Friday. Stockbridge is 0-3 as well and very susceptible to the run but their quarterback has thrown for an average of 188 yards per games while throwing six touchdowns this season.

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