Starr’s Mill made two significant changes Friday, and both paid off in its 27-0 victory over Region 2-AAAA rival McIntosh on homecoming night at Panther Stadium in Fayetteville.

One change Starr’s Mill (3-3, 2-2 in Region 2-AAAA) made was out of necessity: having sophomore Miles Jaye make his first career varsity start at quarterback in place of Matt Sweat, who was out with a leg injury. Jaye overcame a shaky start — he turned the ball over on a fumble on the game-opening series — to complete 17 of 25 passes for 196 yards and one touchdown and lead the Starr’s Mill offense to three others.

Jaye said his wasn’t nervous in his first career varsity start.

“I was more excited than anything,” said Jaye, who was told by Starr's Mill coach Mike Earwood on Monday that he would start. “I settled down pretty quickly, though. The offensive line gave me a lot of time, and my receivers made some plays.”

When Jaye was asked what grade he would give his own performance, he said, “an A-minus or B-plus.”

Jaye’s performance left a lasting impression on Earwood.

“I haven’t seen too many sophomores step on the field, irregardless of the opponent, and perform like he did,” Earwood said of Jaye. “He’s got the intangibles and sees the entire field and makes great decisions with the football.”

The other difference-making change made by Starr’s Mill was moving defensive coordinator Glenn Griffin from the coaches’ box to the sideline, something he hasn't done in quite a few years, according to Earwood. Having Griffin roaming the sideline had an apparent impact on the defense, which held McIntosh (1-4, 0-3 in Region 2-AAAA) to 113 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers, both of which led to touchdowns, in its first shutout of the season.

"That was to spark [the defense] up a little bit," Earwood said of having Griffin on the sideline. "We've had some communication issues from the box down to the sideline. We needed to make some adjustments. ... [Griffin's] right down there, we can make [adjustments], and we have total confidence in the coaches in the box that they can see things and let us know what's going on."

The first turnover forced by Starr’s Mill, a fumble recovery by defensive lineman Nate Baker, set up Parker duPont’s first touchdown of the night, a 2-yard run late in the first quarter.

The second turnover, a fumble recovery by linebacker Trent Riley on McIntosh’s next series, led to a 1-yard touchdown run by duPont that put Starr’s Mill in front 13-0 in the second quarter.

duPont led all rushers with 121 yards on 17 carries. Starr’s Mill finished with 391 total yards of offense, with 190 rushing.

Spencer Penson added to Starr’s Mill’s lead with a 7-yard touchdown run with 8:41 remaining in the third quarter.

Jaye got more comfortable in the pocket as the game went along. He showed perhaps a sign of things to come for Starr’s Mill’s offense in the fourth quarter, directing a nine-play, 80-yard drive that culminated with Jaye throwing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Dan Ellis.

The drive included a 43-yard run by duPont and a 16-yard pass from Jaye to Ellis.

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