The high school

football season is nearly halfway over and it is getting very exciting.

Starr's Mill faced Lovejoy in a Region 4-AAAAA showdown last Friday, made

an incredible comeback and won, 35-34. The Panthers now sit atop the region

standings with Newnan, whom they will face on Oct. 18 at home.

Lovejoy struck

first on Friday with a touchdown just over six minutes in the game. Starr's

Mill started a drive towards the end of the first quarter and sustained

it thanks to big runs from tailback Chris Strauch. Patrick Mullinix capped

it off with an 11 yard touchdown run to tie the game. Lovejoy then scored

20 points in a row and looked like they had the game in their clutches.

Strauch then carries the Panthers again on a three minute drive, running

for three first downs and a touchdown. The Panthers went in to the half

down 27-14.

Lovejoy came

out in the second half and scored putting 20 points of distance between

themselves and the Panthers but Starr's Mill refused to quit, despite

the fact that they did not score in the third quarter. Daniel Carmichael

ran 38 yards for a touchdown two and a half minutes into the fourth quarter

to bring the score to 34-21. The Panthers then recovered an onside kick

and had Deante Battle run 20 yards for a touchdown.

Starr's Mill

now had the momentum. Their defense shut Lovejoy down and Strauch gave

his team the tying touchdown with a one yard run. Kicker Chris James converted

the extra point and Starr's Mill had the lead. Lovejoy got the ball back

and immediately threw an interception to Johnny Edwards, which sealed

the win for the Panthers, 35-34. Strauch finished the game with 202 yards

rushing.

Starr's Mill

is now 3-0 in region play, as is Newnan. East Coweta, Starr's Mill's opponent

this Friday, is 2-1, while Lovejoy and Riverdale are 1-1 as well. Carver

is 1-2 and both McIntosh and Fayette County are 0-3.

Speaking of

McIntosh and Fayette County, those two teams will meet at Fayette County

this Friday for what is always a fun game. The Chiefs hosted Carver, Columbus

last Friday and lost 22-16, despite touchdowns from Cameron Hall and Nick

Achor. The Chiefs put up 379 yards of offense but saw a fumble late in

the game stall a drive that could have tied the game. Taylor Lee led the

defense with 11 tackles, while Achor led the offense with 160 yards rushing.

Fayette County trailed Creekside 14-0 at the half and saw another comeback

attempt fall short as they lost 14-10. David Roberson had 14 catches for

200 yards and a touchdown.

Sandy Creek

(3-1) had a big game last Friday, defeating Lithia Springs 32-14. The

Patriots charged to a 20-6 lead at the half with touchdowns from Phillip

Hyde, Brian Brown and Will Judson, who ran a kick back 85 yards for a

touchdown. Hyde scored again in the second half, as did Jamal Rome. Hyde

finished with 120 yards rushing. Coach Rodney Walker felt Brent Brewer

made the difference in the game with two blocked punts which led to touchdowns.

The Patriots are 3-0 in Region 4-AAAA play. They will host undefeated

Douglas County on Friday, a team ranked sixth in AAAA and picked in the

preseason to win the region. They are skilled on both sides of the ball

and the Patriots will hope to control the ball and dictate the pace of

the game.

In other games

last Friday, Landmark Christian came back from a 21-14 deficit at the

half to defeat Carver, Atlanta, 41-27. Sean Hill led the charge on offense

for the War Eagles running for 191 yards and four touchdowns. Wren Gibby

gave another great performance on defense with 12 tackles and two sacks.

Our Lady of Mercy fell to Blessed Trinity, 35-8. The Bobcats defense gave

up 22 points in the second quarter in the loss. Josh Flores scored the

lone touchdown for Our Lady of Mercy with a one yard quarterback sneak.

Coach Alan Gordon hopes to have his full team back for Friday's game.

Games scheduled

for this Friday are Starr's Mill (5-1) at East Coweta (2-4), McIntosh

(1-5) at Fayette County (1-5), Sandy Creek (3-1) versus Douglas County

(5-0) and Our Lady of Mercy (1-4) versus Walker (2-3). Landmark Christian

is off this week. They will host Heard County next week. Kickoffs are

scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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