By MICHAEL BOYLAN
Sports Editor

The football teams from Starr's Mill and Sandy Creek had great seasons and both teams reached the state playoffs for the first time in school history.

Unfortunately, their stellar seasons came to an end Friday night, as they both lost to some of the top programs in the state.

Starr's Mill faced the Peach County Trojans and played tough. They received the ball from the opening kickoff and ate almost eight minutes off the clock. The Panthers capitalized on their opening drive and scored three points from an Evan Greeson field goal.

Though they would threaten several more times during the rest of the game, Starr's Mill was unable to put more points on the board. Peach County scored a touchdown and got two points off a botched extra point try. The Panthers recovered three Peach County fumbles in the first half, but could not capitalize on any of the turnovers. Peach County lead the Panthers by a slim margin of 8-3 at the half.

Peach County would produce three touchdowns in the second half, while Starr's Mill just could not get things going against the stifling defense of the Trojans. Quarterback Brad McClaren threw a costly touchdown in the third quarter that put Peach County ahead by 19 points with only a little more than a quarter remaining. The Panthers' ground attack did as well as possible; Craig Maddock rushed for 51 yards, while McClaren scrambled for 49 yards, but it was not enough.

Sandy Creek ran into similar problems in their match against Shaw. While playing tough through the first half and keeping it close, the Patriots could not score and therefore could not win.

Sandy Creek had no trouble driving down the field, getting big runs or big catches from a variety of players. Their problems came from turnovers. The Patriots received the opening kick and then drove into Shaw territory, before fumbling and giving up the ball. Shaw did not score right off the bat, but they would get another opportunity shortly after the second Patriot drive when an Andre Green pass was picked off. Again, Sandy Creek forced Shaw to settle for a field goal attempt, this one blocked by Jermaine Harris.

Shaw fumbled on the next drive and two plays after Sandy Creek recovered, they fumbled as well. Shaw scored a touchdown two plays later and quickly made it 14-0 on their next drive. The score was 14-0 at the half. The Patriots opened up the third quarter with a great drive that involved a variety of people on offense. This drive ended with a fumble as well, and 11 plays later Shaw scored to make it 21-0.

Sandy Creek and Starr's Mill could be disappointed by their opening round losses, but it also gives them something to shoot for. This was the first year that either team made the playoffs. It is only Starr's Mill's second year playing varsity football and it is only the first full year under Coach Rodney Walker for Sandy Creek.

Both teams produced great records. Starr's Mill finished the season 8-3, while Sandy Creek finished 7-4. These two teams will be back and they have shown the heart and determination necessary to win.

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