STARKVILLE — Starkville Academy looks forward to being back home for its next football game.
After a disappointing loss at Magnolia Heights Academy, the Volunteers are need of a bounce back.
That opportunity comes when Starkville Academy plays host to Winston Academy.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday at J.E. Logan Field in Starkville.
“We have had some really good football games with Winston over the years,” Starkville Academy coach Jeff Terrill said. “The same should hold true here. We are both football teams trying to put some things together.”
Starkville Academy is 2-3 overall. The Volunteers have been alternating wins and losses, with the latest setback being a 20-8 Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, District 1, Division II setback in Senatobia.
“We had a difficult time getting anything going on offense,” Terrill said. “The biggest challenge right now is maintaining drives.”
Against Magnolia Heights, the Volunteers only generated 150 yards of total offense and six first downs.
Grant Wolfe scored on a 27-yard run in the second quarter for Starkville Academy.
Magnolia Heights led 20-8 at halftime and neither team scored in the game’s final half of play.
Starkville Academy played well defensively. However, three touchdowns in the second quarter proved too much to overcome.
The Volunteers are continuing to look for more balance. Through five games, Starkville Academy is averaging 228 yards per game, with only 46 of those coming through the air.
Defensively, Starkville Academy continues to look to eliminate the big play.
Meanwhile, Winston Academy (1-4) comes to town fresh off its first victory of the season — at 14-0 Homecoming triumph over Central Holmes Christian.
Last season, Starkville Academy rode a powerful ground game to a 41-7 victory, also in Starkville.
East Oktibbeha (0-2, 0-2)
at Noxapater (3-2, 2-0)
Things get no easier for East Oktibbeha County High School when the Titans return to Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 1A, Region 3 action at Noxapater.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday.
East Oktibbeha dropped a 37-0 decision to Sebastopol in its home opener Friday night.
The Titans only trailed 21-0 at halftime but not could keep up with several turnovers during a rain-plagued contest.
“Right now, we aren’t in a position to compete for four quarters,” East Oktibbeha coach John Davis said. “The kids lose focus there and bad things happen to us.
“We started off with a couple of successful drives but could not come away with points. That can get discouraging.”
In the contest, the Titans did not complete a pass, while running 35 times for 150 yards.
Destin Covington led the way with 17 rushes for 93 yards.
Noxapater has opened region play with back-to-back wins over French Camp (20-13) and West Oktibbeha (42-0).
The Tigers are led by Tyrell Carter and Vonte Woods, each of whom have run for 314 yards.
Noxapater won last season’s meeting, 48-6 in Crawford.
West Oktibbeha (0-2, 0-2)
at French Camp (1-4, 1-1)
West Oktibbeha County High School still looks for its first victory under new coach Danny Crawford.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. Friday.
West Oktibbeha lost 42-0 at home to Noxapater Friday night. The Timberwolves still have not scored for this season.
French Camp beat West Lowndes 32-6 at home for its first victory Friday night.
These two teams did not meet last season.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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