The No. 9 Etowah Eagles soared to a 21-14 victory over Starr’s Mill on Saturday afternoon at the Georgia Dome. The Eagles jumped out to a 21-7 lead and withstood a four quarter Panther rally to hold on for the victory.
“That was a good football team,” praised Etowah head coach Bill Stewart of his team’s opponent. “We’re happy about (the win). We’re not happy with everything that went on, but they played a great game. We had to do everything we could to hold them off.”
Unranked Starr’s Mill, coming off a disappointing 3-7 2008 campaign, started strong and used seized the early momentum. The Panthers gained a 7-0 edge with 10 minutes left in the first half when Derek Brown plunged in from the three-yard line.
But the Eagles would answer with two scores of their own before halftime. Quarterback Braden Nolan tossed a nine-yard pass to wide receiver Taylor Majors to even things up at seven with 4:52 remaining in the second quarter.
Right after the touchdown, Etowah would get the ball back, courtesy of an interception by defensive back Taylor Holdway on the Starr’s Mill 47.
The Eagle offense would then convert the turnover into seven points when Nolan trotted in from 19 yards out to give Etowah a lead that they would not relinquish.
“Braden has stepped right in,” explained Stewart. “He’s becoming a leader for us and keeps developing and keeps getting better and better. The more games he gets under his belt, the better he’s going to be.”
Following the break, Etowah’s defense would cause another turnover, this time a fumble that was recovered by sophomore defensive lineman Nick Rowell at midfield and returned to the SMHS 34.
On the very next play, junior running back Nick Merino would score on a handoff off the right side.
Starr’s Mill would go onto score late on another short touchdown run by Brown and then get the ball back with less than five minutes to go. But Etowah would cause yet another turnover and run the clock out.
This is the second year in a row that Etowah has defeated Starr’s Mill to begin the season. Last year, the Eagles used the momentum of the season opening win to soar onto the playoffs.
“I think it is critical,” declared Stewart. “It’s the first game of the entire season for the state. So you want to definitely start off with a W.”
Etowah is off next week before travelling to McEachern on Sept. 4. Meanwhile Starr’s Mill will host Villa Rica on the same night.
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