STARKVILLE — The Starkville High School football team’s defense didn’t anticipate facing three quarterbacks against Clinton High on Friday night, but it didn’t matter.
It was business as usual for the SHS defense, which forced three turnovers and held the Arrows to 117 yards in a 24-7 win.
Starkville (8-3, 6-1 Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 2) finished as the runner-up in region play behind Madison Central, and will host Grenada High in the first round of the 6A North State playoffs on Friday.
With starting running back Jacquez Horsley out due to a concussion and the Yellow Jackets down two offensive linemen, more was expected from Starkville’s defense, which saw senior starting linebacker Taylor Johnston return from injury.
The defense delivered, particularly its defensive line, which was responsible for a touchdown on a fumble recovery by Lorenzo Dantzler. Dantzler and Maleke Bell combined for three sacks. Additionally, the Jackets forced three turnovers.
Clinton freshman quarterback Cam Akers was the third quarterback to enter the game after missing the previous three weeks due to injury, and he was the most effective, leading a pair of drives deep into Starkville territory and leading Clinton to its only score, which made it a 17-7 game in the third quarter.
Akers, however, only managed 18 yards on 15 carries.
“We really didn’t think we would see all three of their quarterbacks,” Starkville coach Jamie Mitchell said. “But No. 3 (Akers) is a big-time player. We never thought we’d see him for the night. I thought our defense did a great job adjusting. They won the ballgame for us.”
Friday’s result marked the fourth time the Yellow Jackets held an opponent to seven points or fewer this season. With Johnston back in the fold, Starkville enters the playoffs at full strength on defense.
“Having Caleb back is big for our defense,” Dantzler said. “He’s a senior, and it was good for him to come back on Senior Night.”
Starkville’s 12-9 loss to Warren Central last week helped set up a difficult final week in which Columbus had to beat Warren Central for Starkville to claim top spot over Madison Central, which lost to Starkville this season. Mitchell admitted the game was uncharacteristic of games in 6A, but he didn’t buy into the notion that the loss would have any bearing on how prepared his team is heading into the postseason.
Neither did his two starting defensive tackles.
“Our expectations are high — they’re supposed to be in Jackson,” Bell said. “That’s where we’re gonna be.”
Said Dantzler, “We’re a young team. Everybody said when we come back to 6A we couldn’t do it, so we’re trying to prove a point. We’re Starkville. We win championships.”
Clinton (3-8, 2-5 6A-2) was led by standout defensive end Grant Harris, who had six tackles, including three for a loss.
LaDorrious Pittman had season-highs of 90 yards on 20 carries for Starkville.
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