Panther football fans remember 2010 when the football team made it to the AAAA state championship game two years ago. Several players on that 2010 state runner-up team took their talents to the college level where they continue to learn and develop as collegiate athletes.   Some reflected recently on their days here.

Zach  Laskey has been turning heads ever since his arrival at Georgia Tech. After returning punts for the Yellow Jackets in 2011, he moved to B-back at the beginning of the season. Laskey learned to be versatile in his days here where he set the record for most rushing yards in a season with 1,460.  Laskey said he is thankful for his Panther roots.

“Starr’s Mill was a great stepping stone to get me where I am today,” Laskey said. “The game in college is more physical than in high school, but I am blessed to be able to continue to play a game I love.”

However, during his game against Boston College, Laskey re-injured his shoulder after carrying the ball 13 times for a total of 101 yards. This is Laskey’s  third shoulder injury, dating back to the  2010 semifinal game against Tucker High School.

Jeff Greene was an imposing figure on the field at Panther Stadium. At 6’4”, he has the ideal physique for a wide receiver, a fact Georgia Tech quickly learned. Greene played in 12 games last season and scored one touchdown for the Yellow Jackets. In 2010, Greene had 623 total receiving yards.

“The game speed in college is 10 times faster than in high school,” Greene said.

Alex Barr became a member of the North Carolina State Wolfpack as an offensive tackle. When he’s not on the field, he’s majoring in history and business. He said he wants to receive his first degree in three and a half years.

According to Barr, high school football was more fun oriented.  “College is more business-like,” he said.

Eric Armagost, a sophomore at Brown University, contributed to the 2010 Panther defense by making 82 tackles. Armagost is confident that his success in high school will carry over to his time at Brown.

“The defensive scheme that Coach [Dennis] Bogumill ran my senior year has quite a few similarities to the defensive scheme that Coach [Michael] Kelleher runs here,” said Armagost, who plays safety for the Bears.

Matthew Hubbard is making a name for himself as a punter at Georgia State University. Hubbard, also a sophomore,  set an NCAA record when he averaged 62.2 yards on five punts against South Carolina State University earlier this season.

“It was exciting and emotional and I thank God, my family, and my team for giving me the opportunity,” Hubbard said.

Georgia Southern sophomore Ryan Nowicki wasn’t originally an Eagle. He spent his freshman year at the University of Mississippi. He transferred to Georgia Southern right before the start of the season.

“College football is more like a job,” Nowicki said.  “It’s 24-7 football and not always fun and games.”

Adam Holley was a prominent figure on the 2010 team. As quarterback, he led the Panthers to the state championship game. His senior year he passed for 1,743 yards and threw for 12 touchdowns. He plays at West Georgia as a quarterback, and he is majoring in History.

“College football is a lot of fun,” Holley said, “but it will never beat the memories that I have from high school.”

Elijah Goodrich, one of the 2010 captains, influenced players to leave their hearts on the field and to use their heads off it. He is playing at Shorter University and pursuing a major in Middle Grades Education. Goodrich believes that college ball is intense.

“Everyone is so much faster out there that it forces you to play faster as well. It’s like playing teams like Tucker every week,” Goodrich said.