Sophomore Brandon Mathis runs into an open lane. Mathis contributed to the Panther rushing attack with eight carries for 41 yards.
Gameday Takeaways, Week 13
Three notes from overtime thriller
December 4, 2019
Last week, Starr’s Mill continued their playoff run by hosting the Dutchtown Bulldogs, the No. 2 seed from Region 4-AAAAA. The Panthers pushed through an intense game to take a 25-24 victory in overtime. Here are three takeaways from the game.
- Offense proved their strength
If there was any time to prove the might of the Panther offense, it was against a team that only allowed 3.5 points per game through their two playoff games.
— Staff Writer Daniel Stackhouse
If there was any time to prove the might of the Panther offense, it was against a team that only allowed 3.5 points per game through their two playoff games. The Panthers scored 25 points over Dutchtown’s defense. Starr’s Mill is only the third team Dutchtown has played all season to have scored more than 20 points.
The offense accumulated 320 yards on offense, 302 being through the run game. Both seniors Kalen Sims and Ben Bodne had 100+ yard games. Sims adding on with three touchdowns, and Bodne eclipsing 1,000 yards on the season.
Starr’s Mill also controlled over half an hour of game time. Everything on offense came together so the team could outlast the Bulldogs.
- Defense stood strong
Dutchtown couldn’t do anything against the Panther defense throughout the first half. The had even thrown an interception to junior Nate Kearns on their first drive.
While the defense started to slip a little bit, they did not let the Bulldogs run away with the game. They made a strong red zone stand to send the game into overtime.
“[The game] was kind of like a replay of Kell a little bit,” defensive coordinator Jeff Schidlkofer said. “[We] kind of got our momentum [later in the game], had a great goal line stand to end the game to hold [Dutchtown] to a field goal.”
- A gutsy play call nearly ended the season
Deciding to go for it right outside the goal line to win the game was a very bold decision. However, it was a call that worked. Sims immediately rushed into the end zone to take the game.
That was one of the most exciting finishes in Starr’s Mill history.
— head coach Chad Phillips
“When the penalty moved the ball a yard and a half away from winning, the boys didn’t really have much to say on the fact than ‘have confidence’,” head coach Chad Phillips said. “We let [the boys] roll with it, we thought we had a great play call, and they executed. That was one of the most exciting finishes in Starr’s Mill history.”
The risk of ending the game had a humongous reward. Taking the risk worked, and the Panthers move into the AAAAA semifinals for the first time since 2010.
What to watch for this week
This team has proven they can overcome any team that comes their way. Everything about the team seems to be coming together. Warner Robins will be a difficult opponent, but with the kind of football Starr’s Mill has been playing, anticipate a competitive game.
Warner Robins will host Starr’s Mill this Friday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.