Dan Ellis turned in one of the best special teams performances in Starr’s Mill history Friday, returning a punt and a kickoff for touchdowns, but Villa Rica withstood Ellis’ long returns and defeated Starr’s Mill 22-17.

The first quarter featured big plays for both teams: Villa Rica running back Zay Foster caught a 69-yard touchdown pass — his lone catch of the game — and Ellis answered almost immediately, returning the ensuing kick-off 94 yards for a touchdown.

Foster’s second touchdown, a 7-yard run with 38 seconds remaining in the second quarter, made it 14-7 at halftime.

Starr’s Mill cornerback Daryl Hunt returned a third-quarter interception to the Villa Rica 20, giving the Panthers a chance to tie the game.

Starr’s Mill eventually had a first-and-goal from the 4, but Villa Rica’s stout defense prevented the Panthers from reaching the end zone.

The Panthers settled for a 27-yard field goal by Chris Ward.

Cody Sauls scored on a 58-yard run in the third quarter to increase Villa Rica’s lead to 22-8.

Ellis’ 64-yard punt return for a touchdown with 10:08 left in the fourth quarter gave Starr’s Mill life, but Villa Rica didn’t allow another point the rest of the way.

The Wildcats held Starr’s Mill’s offense to 92 total yards.

“Villa Rica is pretty good on defense,” Starr’s Mill coach Mike Earwood said. “They have some great players on that side of the ball. I think Villa Rica will win the other side of Region 5-AAAA.”

Two positives for Starr’s Mill, according to Earwood, were its kicking game and defense.

“I was real pleased with our kicking game, and, in between two bad plays, our defense played well,” Earwood said.

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