By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

Reaching the playoffs, in any sport, tends to be its own reward for a team.

After battling through a regular season of 10 games, playoff-bound teams have won another week of practice and another chance to strut their stuff on the gridiron. Not everybody can make the playoffs and being one of the few teams in the region to make it creates an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.

This Friday night, three area high schools will send their football teams onto the field with hopes that their seasons will last at least one week longer.

Starr's Mill (8-2) will travel to Peach County High School in Fort Valley to take on the Peach County Trojans (8-2). It is the first time in the history of Starr's Mill that its football team has reached the state playoffs. It is also necessary to remember that this is only the second year that Starr's Mill has played a varsity schedule.

The Panthers have had an excellent season, playing confidently on offense and defense. They have an excellent ground attack, with strong runners in Craig Maddock, LaDon Cooper, Reuben Houston and Drew Cofty. The defense gets outstanding play from everybody and is led by Tony Tofanelli and Matt Fuhrmann.

To win Friday, Starr's Mill must control the clock and play the same game it has played all year. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. at Peach County High School.

To get to Peach County High School, travel on I-75 south through Macon and take exit 46, the Byron Fort Valley exit. Take a right at the end of the exit and travel 12 miles on Ga. Highway 49 south. Stay in the far right lane as you approach the five sided intersection. As you go through the traffic light, you will be on Ga. Highway 96 west. Peach County High School is approximately a mile down the road on the right.

The Sandy Creek Patriots (7-3) have also reached the state playoffs for the first time. Under new head coach Rodney Walker, the Patriots produced an excellent ground game, led by 1,000-yard rusher J.R. Lemon, and a defense that feasts off of their own intensity. Sandy Creek scores points off of opponents' mistakes and the Patriots will need to continue that trend when they face the Shaw Raiders (10-0) in Columbus Friday night.

Shaw is the top seed in 2-AAA and tough on all levels. Sandy Creek's athleticism should keep them close to the Raiders but it is important for them not to fall behind early. The Sandy Creek ground attack has been known to wear down opponents' front lines, paving the way for huge runs later in the game. They must do that Friday night to win. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

To get to Shaw High School, take I-85 south to Columbus, exiting at the Phenix City, Macon 80 east exit. This will lead you to the North Bypass, also called the J.R. Allen Parkway. Exit the bypass at exit 6, Blackmon-Schaumburg Road. Take a left at the stop sign two blocks across the overbridge onto South Stadium Drive. There will be a sign leading you to Shaw High School.

East Coweta (8-2) has the benefit of playing at home on Friday night. They are the second seed in 4-AAAA and will face the Houston County Bears (7-3) at 7:30 p.m. at Garland Shoemake Stadium. Houston County upset East Coweta at home in the first round of last year's state playoffs.

You can be assured that East Coweta remembers the loss and won't let it happen again.

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