Tigers Eliminated by Starr's Mill

They were state ranked and averaged four times the points their opponents did.

In the end, though, it wasn't enough to keep Tucker High's previously unbeaten football team from being eliminated by Starr's Mill, 20-19, in the Class AAAA semifinals.

Held below 27 points for the first time all season, the Tigers twice ventured inside Starr's Mill's 20-yard line but came up with field goals, instead of touchdowns. They also had a long scoring run called back by penalty.

"Offensively, we missed a lot of opportunities, and we knew opportunities would be limited against a team like Starr's Mill," Tucker coach Franklin Stephens said. "You've got to get touchdowns when you're that close, not field goals."

State champions in 2008 and at least a quarterfinalist seven times since 2000, the Tigers were long accustomed to the late stages of the playoffs. They entered the semifinals having trampled Southwest DeKalb 50-19, Chamblee 68-0, Redan 59-24, Lithonia 58-6 and Loganville 50-6. They outscored their first three playoff opponents 43-10 on average.

"We always spoke every day in practice about ball control and tackling," defensive back Jachobi Hardge said. "We played real good defense and ran the ball well on offense, too. Right up until the end, we made the plays when we needed to."

In racing past Ware County 42-3 in the quarterfinals, Tucker running backs N'Quan Maggett and Bashr Coles combined for four touchdowns and the Tigers defense scored twice. Coles ran for 141 yards and Maggett 86, and James Vaughters and Ramal Davis returned fumbles 28 and 24 yards for touchdowns.

Tucker's third semifinal in four seasons, however, didn't work out so well. The No. 3 Tigers had opportunity to finish off No. 6 Starr's Mill, when they got the ball with 6:27 left and five points ahead. They also had a first down on Starr's Mill's 45-yard line with 2:30 to go.

But then came a fumble at Starr's Mill's 41 with 2:12 remaining. Two passes and just 29 seconds later, Starr's Mill went ahead, and Tucker's last-gasp possession stalled.

Coles and Maggett, who both entered the semifinal with 1,000-plus rushing yards, combined for only 86 and no running touchdowns. Particularly damming was Tucker's defense surrendering 234 all-purpose yards to Starr's Mill quarterback Adam Holley.

"He just made plays against us when he had to," Tigers defensive back Greg Brown said. "He read our defense pretty well." 

Instead of the Tigers reaching a third final, Starr's Mill achieved its first, though ultimately lost to Chattahoochee, 24-0.

"We had a lot of positive things come out of this season," Stephens said. "But when you get (to the semifinals) and don't realize that goal of playing for a state championship, it's disappointing."