Patriots open region play with 30-14 win over Wildcats

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The Sandy Creek Patriots remain undefeated and are off to a good start in Region 5-AAAA play after a 30-14 home win over the Whitewater Wildcats in a battle between two teams ranked among the state’s top 10.

The Wildcats (4-2) got on the board less than two minutes after the opening kickoff, as a 66-yard touchdown run by Christian Wafford put Whitewater ahead. The Patriots (6-0) tied the score on the ensuing drive, marching downfield to set up Eric Swinney’s two-yard scoring run that tied the game at 7.

The score didn’t change the rest of the first half. The Wildcats threatened but were turned back by a Sandy Creek goal-line stand with less than two minutes to go, and the teams remained tied at intermission.

The Patriots took the lead on Swinney’s 60-yard touchdown run, and the team’s all-time leading rusher scored again from 13 yards out with 5:19 left in the third to make the score 20-7.

Jay Ashley scored on a 10-yard quarterback keeper to cut the lead to 6, but Sandy Creek got three more points on a 34-yard field goal with 9:41 remaining. An interception with under two minutes set up Austin Vazquez’s 17-yard touchdown run. The Patriots’ Javonte Lain recovered a Whitewater fumble on the next possession to seal the win.

The Patriots travel to Troup next Friday, while the Wildcats host Carrollton.

STARR’S MILL 42, McINTOSH 7: After a scoreless first quarter, the Panthers (3-3) exploded in the second and cruised to victory at home against the Chiefs (2-5).

Stone Kasten connected with Satchel Goodrich on a 69-yard touchdown pass to put Starr’s Mill in front, and the lead increased on a 3-yard run by Rico Frye and a 51-yard scoring burst by Nic Brown. After Kasten hit Dion Munerlyn on a 51-yard touchdown strike, the Panthers led 28-0 and had 308 total yards at the half.

The offensive onslaught continued after the break as Kasten threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Houston. McIntosh finally found the end zone when Duke Kinamon hit Taylor Casterline for a 29-yard score, but that was answered with an 85-yard pass to Munerlyn that was the final score of the game.

The Panthers host Morrow Thursday. The Chiefs are off next week and host Forest Park Oct. 24.

FAYETTE COUNTY 33, CARROLLTON 7: The Tigers (3-3) jumped out early and led 26-0 at halftime, holding the Trojans to four first downs and fewer than 70 yards of total offense while taking advantage of two fumbles and an interception in the first half. The Tigers travel to Woodward next Friday.

OUR LADY OF MERCY (4-2) plays at Mt. Vernon tomorrow (Saturday).

LANDMARK (5-1) was off this week and hosts Mt. Vernon next Friday.