McIntosh and Starr’s Mill to meet in AAAA soccer final

After McIntosh’s 2-1 win over Marist Tuesday night, head coach Bunky Colvin called Friday’s match between his top ranked Chiefs and the second ranked Starr’s Mill Panthers epic. It wasn’t hyperbole.

The two teams are rivals, friendly rivals with players on both squads familiar with each other from club play, but rivals nonetheless. Their meeting this Friday isn’t for mere bragging rights though, it’s for the state championship trophy, those nifty GHSA champion visors and being the victors in a game that undoubtedly will long be remembered in these soccer-centric parts for years to come.

The Chiefs made the final with two goals from Josh Ball. The first came in the first half with an assist from Marco Colonna and the second broke a 1-1 tie late in the second half off of a rebound from an indirect kick.

Starr’s Mill faced Lakeside, Dekalb, AAAA’s third ranked team, on the road and got the go ahead goal in the first overtime period. They were able to hang on through a second five minutes to secure their place in the state final. Josh Hughes assisted by Braeden Snook. Starr's Mill head coach Mike Hanie stated that the defense played well, praising Derek Williams Ryan Nowicki, Kyle Durden and Salomon Lorenzano.

“This will be like two brothers fighting in the back yard,” said Colvin of Friday’s match. “It is great for this community and great for soccer. It would be a great one to win.”

Hanie agreed. "It is always a great rivalry between us. This will be the first time ever the boys have played each other for the state championship. The place will be 'rockin'."

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., but the celebration for one team will likely last until the following morning.