The

football teams from Starr's Mill and Sandy Creek had

great seasons and both teams reached the state playoffs

for the first time in school history.

Unfortunately,

their stellar seasons came to an end Friday night, as

they both lost to some of the top programs in the state.

Starr's

Mill faced the Peach County Trojans and played tough.

They received the ball from the opening kickoff and ate

almost eight minutes off the clock. The Panthers

capitalized on their opening drive and scored three

points from an Evan Greeson field goal.

Though they

would threaten several more times during the rest of the

game, Starr's Mill was unable to put more points on the

board. Peach County scored a touchdown and got two points

off a botched extra point try. The Panthers recovered

three Peach County fumbles in the first half, but could

not capitalize on any of the turnovers. Peach County lead

the Panthers by a slim margin of 8-3 at the half.

Peach

County would produce three touchdowns in the second half,

while Starr's Mill just could not get things going

against the stifling defense of the Trojans. Quarterback

Brad McClaren threw a costly touchdown in the third

quarter that put Peach County ahead by 19 points with

only a little more than a quarter remaining. The

Panthers' ground attack did as well as possible; Craig

Maddock rushed for 51 yards, while McClaren scrambled for

49 yards, but it was not enough.

Sandy Creek

ran into similar problems in their match against Shaw.

While playing tough through the first half and keeping it

close, the Patriots could not score and therefore could

not win.

Sandy Creek

had no trouble driving down the field, getting big runs

or big catches from a variety of players. Their problems

came from turnovers. The Patriots received the opening

kick and then drove into Shaw territory, before fumbling

and giving up the ball. Shaw did not score right off the

bat, but they would get another opportunity shortly after

the second Patriot drive when an Andre Green pass was

picked off. Again, Sandy Creek forced Shaw to settle for

a field goal attempt, this one blocked by Jermaine

Harris.

Shaw

fumbled on the next drive and two plays after Sandy Creek

recovered, they fumbled as well. Shaw scored a touchdown

two plays later and quickly made it 14-0 on their next

drive. The score was 14-0 at the half. The Patriots

opened up the third quarter with a great drive that

involved a variety of people on offense. This drive ended

with a fumble as well, and 11 plays later Shaw scored to

make it 21-0.

Sandy Creek

and Starr's Mill could be disappointed by their opening

round losses, but it also gives them something to shoot

for. This was the first year that either team made the

playoffs. It is only Starr's Mill's second year playing

varsity football and it is only the first full year under

Coach Rodney Walker for Sandy Creek.

Both teams

produced great records. Starr's Mill finished the season

8-3, while Sandy Creek finished 7-4. These two teams will

be back and they have shown the heart and determination

necessary to win.