Panthers enjoy consistency with new head coach

Mike Earwood is gone, but not forgotten. He’s not even that far away, coaching over at Our Lady of Mercy (close enough for his friends from Starr’s Mill to come cheer him on as he got his first win last Saturday), but for the first time since Starr’s Mill fielded a football team, the Panthers have a new head coach.

Chad Phillips is at the helm now, but he has been with the program since the beginning, as has coach Brent Moseley. The rest of the coaching staff has been there a long time, too, so every player knows what to do and what is expected of them.

The expectations are high, especially after a strong finish last year.

“We left last season with a good taste in our mouths,” said Phillips. “Even the playoff game was winnable. We ended strong and we know we have a lot of talent but also that we still have to work hard.”

Fans howled about home cooking in Starr’s Mill’s 27-24 loss on the road to Apalachee in the opening round of the state playoffs, but the Panthers went 5-2 over their last seven games and felt like they had turned the corner and were back on the right track as one of the top teams in the region and a state playoff team.

There is no reason they shouldn’t be back there again this season.

Aside from Trenton Edwards and Justin Smith, Starr’s Mill returns all of their skill players. Senior Adam Holley is the quarterback and since starting the final four games of his sophomore season has 15 starts under his belt.

“He’s a tremendous leader and he worked really hard in the off-season,” said Phillips, who added that it feels good to have an experienced quarterback and not be breaking in a new guy. “He’ll be a lot more involved in the game plans and we believe his hard work will pay off.”

Holley has Zach Laskey to hand the ball off to. Laskey is another player who worked hard since last November, getting bigger, stronger and faster. Junior Alex Riddle will also get some reps running the ball. When Holley is ready to air it out, he has Georgia Tech signee Jeffrey Greene as a target with Jake Thelen, Brandon Ruff, Jason Lindner, Matt Hubbard and Elijah Goodrich playing receiver as well. Greene is just another example of a senior player working hard to have the best possible season.

“He went to a lot of camps this summer and they gave him some confidence and some constructive criticism,” Phillips said.

“He’s worked hard to improve and when he got the offer to go to Georgia Tech he took it.” The early commitment takes some pressure off of Greene who can now focus on trying to help the team go deep in the state playoffs.

The offensive line, which Phillips stated was typically the last thing to gel, is still trying to get three new starters up to speed. The line does feature some talent though with Alex Barr and Cameron Stone trying to open some holes and protect Holley.
Defensively, there is a lot of carryover from last year. Ufomba Kamalu was granted an extra year of eligibility and Alex Brown, out last year due to injury and Steven Dorsey, return to a deep defensive line that will also feature Jack Thomas and Paul Basilone. There are some good players at linebacker as well with Elijah Goodrich, Daniel Fields, Mike Musko, Logan Williams, Dylan Autera and Taylor Flippen all ready to play.

Greene and Laskey will play in the secondary some, while Eric Armagost and Mike King will also see some time.

Hubbard, goalie for the state champion Starr’s Mill Panthers varsity soccer team, will punt and soccer teammate Ryan Nowicki, a place kicker ranked number three in the country will handle kicking duties.

The plan, according to Phillips, is to finish in the top three in the sub-region and play for a chance to make the state playoffs.

“The playoffs are always our goal, but we can’t take anybody for granted,” Phillips said. “Everybody’s program is stronger.”
The Panthers open at home against Coosa from Class AA before their two region crossover games; a road game at Woodland, Henry and a home game against Alcovy. After that, it’s the gauntlet of a region schedule.

Phillips is soaking in his first season as a head coach and heaped praise on the coaching staff.

“They are high quality coaches and good people,” Phillips said. “It’s such a good working environment - good kids and facilities. It’s a great place to coach.”

Starr’s Mill established a winning tradition a long time ago and Phillips and his coaches and players seem up to the task to continuing that tradition.