Starr’s Mill’s first road victory of the season couldn’t have come at a better time.

Starr’s Mill crushed host Northgate 37-0 Friday for its first two-game winning streak of the season, keeping its paper-thin state playoff hopes alive.

The Panthers (5-4, 4-3 in the region) must beat undefeated Fayette County on Friday and have McIntosh beat Creekside to make the playoffs.

A combination of quarterback Miles Jaye, who played arguably his best game of the season, completing 18 of 26 passes for 160 yards and three touchdowns, with no interceptions. But it was Starr’s Mill’s defense, which held Northgate to 92 yards of total offense and forced four turnovers, that was the difference.

"Our defense has really tightened up," Starr's Mill coach Mike Earwood said. "The last three games, we have played really solid defense."

Starr’s Mill scored 14 points in the first quarter and went on to score in every quarter.

Jaye threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Lontrell Anderson and Chris Nowicki returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown to give Starr’s Mill a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.

Starr’s Mill added two more touchdowns in the second quarter — Jaye threw 23- and 18-yard touchdown passes to Justin Smith and Kyle Porche, respectively.

"Jaye had a good game," Earwood said. "Overall, he's played three pretty solid games this season. You have to keep in mind that he's only a sophomore and most kids his age would be playing JV games."

In the third quarter, Starr’s Mill’s Sam Martin kicked a 36-yard field goal, and its defense recorded a safety.

Randy Beading’s 4-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter completed the scoring.

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