The second-ranked Starr’s Mill Panthers are blazing a trail through the Class AAAA state playoffs, continuing a hot streak that started early last month.

Starr’s Mill shut out its fourth consecutive opponent Tuesday, defeating Lakeside Evans 4-0 in the second round of the state playoffs at Panther Stadium in Fayetteville.

How dominant have the Panthers (13-3) been?

Their second-round victory was their 12th straight, and they have allowed only one goal during their winning streak, which came in a 2-1 victory over Harrison March 28.

And, furthermore, the Panthers have given up only six goals all season. Starr’s Mill’s previous single-season record was 11.

From front to back, each of Starr’s Mill’s starters has played steady defense, which again was the case against Lakeside Evans. Defensively, Starr’s Mill swarmed the ball and flooded the passing lanes.

Lakeside didn’t record its first shot on goal until there was 16:04 left in the second half. It finished with only three shots on goal, including one on which Starr’s Mill goalkeeper Chris Ward made a sensational save, leaping high to tip a blast by Nello Thomas with his right hand over the crossbar.

Starr’s Mill coach Mike Hanie lauded the defensive play of his midfielders and back four.

“Our midfielders — Colin Mallon, Jerry O’Hara, Josh Hughes, Danny Hojaij and Jesy Phelps — have done an exceptional job defensively,” Hanie said. “They attack for us and also defend well. That makes a big difference for us. And our players in the back — Hunter Hayes, Nick Fevella, Danny Hojaij, Ryan Clark and Derek Williams — being able to win a lot of the balls that come in there makes it easier because they are protecting the net. All those guys are playing so well for us.”

Starr’s Mill’s offense, meanwhile, was perhaps just as impressive as its defense. The Panthers used Lakeside goalkeeper Michael Colmes for target practice, relentlessly pelting him with shot after shot.

Derek Williams scored the only goal the Panthers would need with 27:18 left in the first half, settling a ball booted by Jesy Phelps into the box and beating Colmes with a rolling shot.

“We created a lot of chances in front of their goal,” Hanie said. “It took us awhile to break [Colmes] down a bit, but once we scored that first goal, the pressure was kind of off.”

Phelps was in on Starr’s Mill’s next goal, as well, starting the play with a short throw-in to Gray Phelps, who, while on the run, twisted to shield a defender from the ball before firing the ball into the box to Sam Martin. Martin knocked the ball down with his raised right leg, then blasted it into the net with 11:05 left in the first half.

Gray Phelps set up Starr’s Mil’s third goal in the second half, sending a corner kick to the front of the net, where Hunter Hayes beat Colmes to the loose ball and pounded it hard into the net.

Gray Phelps completed the scoring by catching Colmes straying too far from his net and booting the ball high into the vacant net.

Starr’s Mill will play host to top-ranked Lakeside-Dekalb in the quarterfinals Friday. Lakeside-Dekalb defeated unranked Hillgrove 1-0 in the second round.

In other games Tuesday, the third-ranked McIntosh Chiefs were upset by Thomas County Central, 3-2, in penalty kicks, and the fifth-ranked Whitewater Wildcats advanced to the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory over 14th-ranked Evans.

Whitewater's lone goal was scored by Victor Murray off a deflection.

"We dominated play, creating many chances, but just could not get it across the line from the middle of the first half on," Whitewater coach Shane Pulliam said. "I think it took awhile to get our feet under us after the long bus ride."

Whitewater will travel to sixth-ranked Dalton on Friday. Dalton upset fourth-ranked Marist 6-1 in the second round.

In the second round of the Class AAA state playoffs, 11th-ranked Sandy Creek also played, and it lost to third-ranked Flowery Branch 3-0.

login to post comments