The Starr’s Mill Panthers (8-3) and the Landmark Christian War Eagles (9-2) are both riding season-high winning streaks into their second round playoff games tonight. The Panthers have won four games in a row and the War Eagles have won seven in a row. They will be facing some formidable opponents tonight and they have winning streaks of their own that they would like to protect.

Starr’s Mill Panthers (8-3) at Baldwin Braves (10-1)

Things look a lot different for Starr’s Mill when they have their full personnel. In fact, some might argue that when they are all healthy, present and accounted for they are undefeated. After their opening 35-7 win over Cherokee, the injury bug hit the team and they weren’t back to normal until the Woodward Academy game. Looking at the five games where the Panthers were at 100 percent, they look like a beast. They have won those games by a margin of 38-8. Now, only two of those wins were to teams that made the state playoffs, but a win is a win. Starr’s Mill is no stranger to the playoffs or big games and they should be ready for a battle tonight.

The Baldwin Braves will most certainly give the Panthers a battle. They are riding a five game winning streak, their second of the season, into tonight’s game. Over their last five games they appear to be as dominant as Starr’s Mill, winning their games by a margin of 39-6. They have posted three shutouts this season and have allowed 18 points or more only four times. Their lone loss of the season was to the undefeated team from Northside, Warner Robins.

By now, you know the players to watch for Starr’s Mill and you also know that someone different seems to step up each week and make big plays. Key players to watch for Baldwin are running back Darius Marshall (236 yards and four touchdowns last week), receivers Wayne Bonner and Markell Smith, quarterback Patrick Spears and defenders Bennie Milline and Cortney Ingram.
The winner of this game will face the winner of Rome and East Paulding next Friday.

Landmark Christian (9-2) vs. Warren County Screaming Devils (7-4)

Landmark Christian started the season strong and then stumbled in their third and fourth games of the season with tough losses to Pacelli and Bremen. Since then, the War Eagles have appeared fairly dominant. They have won seven in a row and they have done it in every way possible; rushing, with Brian Lee and Matt Moody leading the way, passing, with Moody finding receivers Jimmy Eden and Matt Thornton to make big plays, and defense, with numerous defenders forcing fumbles, picking off passes and making big tackles and keeping offenses from scoring, sometimes just enough to protect the victory.

Last week’s win was a shoot-out, but it was also the second week in a row that Landmark had scored 56 points. The defense allowed 49 points last week which was almost as many points as they had allowed in the previous four games. They will need to shut down the Screaming Devils of Warren County this week, which won’t be an easy task. In their seven wins this season, Warren County has won by an average score of 36-15. They have two talented runners in quarterback Tommy Seals and tailback Quadrez Reese. Quamaine Walker and Travis Burley are two of Seals’ key receivers.

The winner of this game will face the winner of Clinch County/Wilcox County next Friday.