The Starr’s Mill Panthers endured a 90-minute weather delay and an offensive shootout on the road against Dutchtown, but they hung on for a 35-33 win and their first victory of the season.
The game went down to the wire, with the Panthers’ special teams play coming up huge at the end just before midnight. A field goal attempt that would have won the game for the Bulldogs was blocked with five seconds left.
Game officials ordered both teams to their locker rooms just seconds before the opening kickoff, and later the fans were instructed to leave the stadium as lightning occasionally shot across the darkened sky. The opening kickoff took place just minutes before 9 p.m.
Starr’s Mill got off to a quick start as Dion Munerlyn hauled in a 40-yard touchdown catch in the opening minutes. After a fumble recovery by Cory Carter at the Dutchtown 46, the Panthers marched down the field and Rico Frye scored from the 2 to give the Panthers a 14-0 lead.
The Bulldogs got 20 unanswered points to take the lead midway through the second quarter, but Stone Kasten connected with Munerlyn again, this time for a 45-yard score that put the Panthers back on top ever so briefly. Dutchtown took the kickoff and drove down the field in less than 40 seconds, getting a 20-yard field goal just before the horn to take a 23-21 advantage into the locker room at halftime.
Dutchtown got the ball back to start the second half and wound up with first-and-goal at the 5, but the Panthers’ defense held and the result was another field goal. Frye scored on a 38-yard run to give Starr’s Mill the lead once again, then a 30-yard reception by Munerlyn set up another short TD run by Frye and it was a 35-26 game.
The Bulldogs scored in the opening minute of the fourth quarter to cut the lead to two points, but that was as close as they got.
The Panthers (1-2) play at Forest Park next Friday.
SANDY CREEK 31, NEWNAN 14: The Patriots (4-0) broke the game open after a key defensive stop in the third quarter that ended with a blocked field goal attempt. Eric Swinney rushed for three touchdowns on the night, and Austin Vazquez put the finishing touches on the Sandy Creek scoring. Next up is a Sept. 26 home game against Auburn (Ala.) after an open date next week.
EAST COWETA 17, WHITEWATER 14: The Wildcats (2-1) led 14-10 at intermission behind two Christian Wafford scores, one on a 20-yard run and the other on a pass from Jay Ashley. They host ELCA next Friday.
OLA 29, McINTOSH 14: The Chiefs (1-2) found the end zone twice, on a 70-yard catch by Josh Ange in the first half and a run by Hunter Best late in the fourth quarter. Next Friday is a home game against Mundy’s Mill.
AQUINAS 44, OUR LADY OF MERCY 20: The Bobcats (1-2) fell to the top-ranked team in Class A and will host Lumpkin County next Friday.
FAYETTE COUNTY (1-2) was off this week and will play at Central-Carrollton next Friday.
LANDMARK (3-0) was off this week and will play at Josey next Friday.
