Starr’s Mill has advanced to the elite eight of the AAAAA state football playoffs and the weight of all those troubles getting out of the second round have been lifted. By defeating Colquitt County 16-14 last Friday, Starr’s Mill has earned a home game with the Brookwood Broncos this Friday.

The Panthers and the Packers remained scoreless through the first quarter, as Colquitt County intercepted a pass from Robby Davis with just under five minutes to go in the quarter. Early in the second quarter Brandon Witta rushed 17 yards for a touchdown, only to have it called back because a referee had inadvertently blown his whistle. The early whistle was the second questionable call in the first half, as the Panthers appeared to have forced a Packer fumble in the first quarter only to have it ruled an incomplete pass. Many in the crowd and on the sidelines wondered if those missed opportunities would come back to haunt Starr’s Mill, but they were able to put points on the board.

After the early whistle, the Panthers would settle for a 32 yard field goal from Keegan Hanie and would add a 31 yard field goal a little over two minutes later.

The Packers scored a touchdown with just under three minutes remaining in the half and, though Ryan Willis blocked a Colquitt County field goal attempt late in the quarter, they would carry a one point lead into the locker room at the break.

In the third quarter Hanie would strike again, this time with a 35 yard field goal, giving the Panthers a lead that they would not relinquish. Jeff Partlow recovered a Packer fumble, giving Starr’s Mill the ball on the Colquitt County 40 and Antonio Brown would scramble 19 yards for a touchdown soon afterwards. Bradley Conner would add a fumble recovery later in the quarter and though the Packers would score with under a minute left, Kyle Wilckens would recover the onside kick, giving the Panthers the ball and the ability to run out the clock.

Starr’s Mill improved to 10-2 on the year and will host Brookwood (12-0) on Friday. A win would put them in the Dome on Saturday, Nov. 26 at 6 p.m. against the winner of Camden County and Dacula.

Brookwood is averaging 39.2 points per game and is only allowing an average of 11 points per game. Since their 44-23 win over East Coweta, brookwood hasn’t allowed over 14 points in a game. They posted one shutout this year, a 60-0 win over Meadowcreek. The Broncos have posted four wins this year against teams that are still alive in the AAAAA state playoffs; Stephenson, Dacula, Parkview and Central Gwinnett.

For more information on Brookwood, visit www.brookwoodbroncos.org.

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