Starr’s Mill has always been known for its tough, rugged defense.

Its defense bent but didn’t break Friday, and it delivered enough big plays in the Panthers’ first Region 2-AAAA victory of the season, 16-7 over the previously undefeated Westlake Lions at Panther Stadium in Fayetteville.

The victory raised Starr’s Mill’s overall record to 2-2 and region record to 1-1. It's the second time this season the Panthers have followed a loss with a victory.

Starr's Mill coach Mike Earwood gave credit to his team's defense for limiting Westlake's potent offense, which had averaged 25 points per game entering the game, to seven points.

"That's what it's all about, playing great defense like that," Earwood said. "[Defensive coordinator] Glenn Griffin does a great job with those guys. It was a great effort by our defense. They played well against a very good Westlake team."

Neither team scored a touchdown in the first half, but Starr's Mill led 6-0 at halftime on 37- and 33-yard field goals by Sam Martin.

Westlake had a chance to score a go-ahead on its second drive of the game, reaching the Starr’s Mill 3-yard line. But Starr’s Mill’s defense prevented the Lions from sniffing the end zone, as a host of defenders tackled running back Jaquies Jackson for a loss on fourth-and-goal.

Martin added another field goal in the third quarter, a 26-yarder, to increase Starr’s Mill’s lead to 9-0.

"[Sam's] field goals made the difference for us," Earwood said. "Sam's a weapon for us."

Westlake’s offense desperately needed a lift. The Lions couldn’t count on senior receiver Rico Poole, one of the team’s top playmakers, to provide it because he was out with an ankle injury he sustained in Westlake’s victory over McIntosh last week.

Devon Babb delivered what Westlake needed, a 3-yard touchdown run that capped a 13-play, 80-yard drive and slashed Starr's Mill's lead to 9-7 with 11:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Matt Sweat responded with a knockout blow on Starr’s Mill’s next drive, a 47-yard touchdown pass to Dan Ellis down the right sideline.

Earwood felt it was the perfect time to go deep. "Their corners were up real tight, and their safeties were playing the run real hard," Earwood said. "We know we had [the touchdown] if we executed it."

Westlake came back on its ensuing drive and scored on a 57-yard pass from Lewis Kindle to Darius Johnson, but the touchdown was negated by an illegal chop block penalty called against Westlake.

The drive eventually ended with Starr’s Mill linebacker Chris Sudduth tipping a Kindle pass into the air and safety Ken Jackson snagging it in the end zone for his third interception in three games.

Starr’s Mill came up with another huge defensive play on Westlake’s final drive; Panthers linebacker Trent Riley, dropping back into coverage, batted a pass away in front of the end zone on a fourth-and-7 to turn the ball over on downs.

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