Starr’s Mill was two quarters away Friday from losing to Rockdale County and starting the season a surprising 0-2.

But it staged a comeback in the second half, shutting out host Rockdale County’s offense and scoring eight points to pull out its first win of the season, 21-14.

Running back Spencer Penson had a breakout game for Starr’s Mill, rushing 21 times for 149 yards and the go-ahead touchdown, a 28-yard run, with 8:06 remaining in the third quarter.

After a somewhat dismal first half, Starr’s Mill’s defense carried the team the rest of the way, keeping Rockdale out of the end zone. Inside linebacker Parker duPont added to the scoring late, recording a safety with 1:21 remaining.

It was an up-and-down performance for Starr’s Mill. Its offense showed marked improvement from the previous week, when the team lost 10-3 to Cherokee, but its defense took a step back, allowing two touchdowns and 318 total yards.

“Overall, we’re getting better,” Starr’s Mill coach Mike Earwood said. “We made some progress offensively. But defensively, we weren’t as good as we were against Cherokee. We’re a work in progress right now.”

Starr’s Mill took a 7-0 lead with 3:50 left in the first quarter on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Matt Sweat to running back Isiah Carthern.

Sweat made it 14-0 early in the second quarter with a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Matt Ossanna.

Sweat threw for only 88 yards, but he was efficient, completing 11 of 16 passes.

Rockdale quarterback Marquize Warren (12-of-21, 172 yards, one interception) brought his team back in the second quarter, tossing two touchdowns passes, a 17-yarder to Treyon Washington and a 16-yarder to Jonathan Sanford, to hand the Bulldogs a 14-13 lead.

Starr’s Mill made some defensive adjustments at halftime — the Panthers’ cornerbacks had trouble matching up with Rockdale’s taller and bigger receivers — and they proved effective in clamping down on Rockdale’s offense.

login to post comments