GREENVILLE –The Starkville High School football team’s defense is back.
Starkville’s defense was dominant Friday night in a 39-6 victory against Greenville-Weston High. The Yellow Jackets, who were without injured linebacker Taylor Johnston after he broke his hand late in the week in practice, didn’t allow the Hornets’ speed to be a factor. Starkville’s bigger, more physical defensive front held Greenville-Weston to eight first downs.
Following a 59-yard run to open the game for the host Hornets, Starkville’s defense allowed just 125 yards in the final 59 minutes.
“I thought we did a great job of playing the brand of defense we should be known for at Starkville High,” Starkville High School coach Jamie Mitchell said. “You’re playing a team that is struggling to find any chemistry on both sides of the ball and, honestly, it can be hard to get the kids excited for a week like this. I’m just glad it’s over.”
After getting two rushing touchdowns from Princeton Jones and Jacquez Horsley, Starkville linebacker Tyler Rogers read the eyes of quarterback Aaron Holmes for a 20-yard interception return for a score.
“I didn’t have a man, so I looked up and saw him starring at my zone,” Rogers said. “I knew he was going to throw it, and once I caught it, I just knew I was going to score.”
Mitchell was impressed with Rogers’ ability to spy the quarterback and make a play.
“Any time you can score on defense, it just sparks the entire team and assures you it’s probably going to be your night,” Mitchell said. “I’m happy our defense is playing hard and continued the effort throughout the entire game.”
Horsley erased all concern about an ankle injury he suffered on the first play against Northwest Rankin with a 40-yard run on his first carry. He didn’t practice until Thursday, and the Starkville coaches were careful with their workhorse tailback.
“We really wanted to get him some carries simply to keep him sharp and thought he looked great when he got the football,” Mitchell said. “We didn’t want to put him in any danger and were pleasantly surprised at how he responded on a short week of practice.”
With 2 minutes, 57 seconds left in the first half, Greenville-Weston coach Shannon Williams was ejected following back-to-back unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Williams took issue with some pushing and shoving going on after the Hornets punted the ball back to the Yellow Jackets. After Williams walked out to the hashmarks at the 45-yard-line, the head referee issued two penalties and ejected Williams.
Following last week’s victory against Northwest Rankin (1-6, 0-3) where he had four touchdowns, Jones threw for 149 yards and a touchdown. Mitchell said Jones did a excellent job recognizing the man-to-man coverage against receivers A.J. Brown, Raphael Leonard, and Fontavious Smith.
“We love seeing that type of coverage and really relish the opportunity to make big plays if teams aren’t going to get that corner any help,” Brown said.
Starkville’s defense forced four turnovers and got three-and-outs on each of the Yellow Jackets’ three turnovers. Backup quarterback Eli Levy’s 20-yard run with less than a minute to go accounted for the final margin.
Starkville (5-2, 3-0 Class 6A, Region 2) will play host to Madison Central next week in a battle for first place in the region.
“The two teams everybody thought would be battling for that top spot meet next week,” Mitchell said. “We know we have to have the best week of preparation we’ve ever had to get that win.”
Follow Matt Stevens on Twitter @matthewcstevens.
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