STARKVILLE — The Starkville High School football team took the first step Tuesday night to settle unfinished business.
Rising senior quarterback Gabe Myles threw two touchdowns to lead Starkville to a 17-8 victory against Columbus High in a spring football game.
The game, which featured junior varsity and varsity action, closed the spring seasons for both teams.
For Starkville, the game was a last chance for coach Jamie Mitchell to see a glimpse of the team he figures to have later this year. That squad will return to the field with a goal of avenging a 38-21 loss to Picayune in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A state title game. Starkville finished 12-3 last season and played for a state championship for the first time in 10 years.
The Yellow Jackets will make that quest without Devin Mitchell, who was killed late last year.
Myles, who emerged last season as a team leader at quarterback, hit Preston Baker for a 65-yard touchdown strike for the Yellow Jackets’ first score. Myles was 10 of 19 for 181 yards. He threw two touchdowns and an interception.
Starkville’s defense also played a key role Tuesday, limiting Columbus to 64 yards offense. The Falcons, who will have to replace senior running back Damien Baker and Cedrick Jackson, who shared quarterback duties with Trace Lee, in 2012.
Lee, a standout pitcher on the baseball team, was with the baseball team throughout nearly all of the spring football practice season.
Columbus was 5 of 19 for 18 passing yards. It had 32 rushes for 46 yards.
For Starkville, Baker had three catches for 104 yards. He was a primary target due to the fact Starkville was without Jimmy Saulsberry (injury).
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