STARKVILLE — Starkville High School football coach Jamie Mitchell was happy to see the return of the Yellow Jackets defense last week.
Thanks to a smash-mouth defense that left other teams helpless in its path, Starkville became the state’s top-ranked team earlier this season. In the final two weeks of the regular season, though, Starkville had to overcome defensive deficiencies to beat Warren Central and Clinton to win the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A, Region 2 crown.
Through the late-season struggles, coaches and players felt it was a matter of time before the Starkville defense returned to form.
Tonight at 7, Starkville (12-0) will look for more of the “great” defense when it plays host to Southaven (10-2) in a second-round Class 6A North State playoff game.
“We have too many talented players on defense,” Mitchell said. “You had that feeling they were going to rise to the challenge. In the second season, everybody plays a little better.”
Starkville posted four shutouts in region play. The Yellow Jackets earned the season’s fifth last week in a 30-0 victory against Tupelo.
“Everybody has to turn up in the playoffs,” Starkville junior defensive lineman Lorenzo Dantzler said. “We knew we had to go out make some big plays and play like the defense of old. When you get down to four games, it’s all about business.”
Thanks to the Class 6A, Region 2 championship, Starkville entered the postseason in prime position. If seeds hold, Starkville could play all four of its postseason games at home.
“Playing at home is a huge advantage in the playoffs,” Starkville senior running back Matt Fuller said. “That is why we really wanted to win all of our region games. We came close to finishing No. 1 (last season) but couldn’t get it done. That is why it was really important we took advantage of our opportunity this year.”
Against Tupelo, Starkville scored 24 first-half points. Brady Davis was 15 of 27 for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Jacquez Horsley returned to the lineup to add a rushing touchdown.
“We are beginning to get healthy again, and that is really great for the stretch run,” Mitchell said. “When you reach the playoffs, you have to be able to run the football to win championships.”
Davis has thrown for 2,927 yards and 38 touchdowns. Fuller has rushed for 882 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Horsley has rushed for 532 yards and five touchdowns. Senior Raphael Leonard has 1,078 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns, while junior A.J. Brown has 915 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns.
Southaven advanced to the second round with a 17-7 win against Warren Central. The Starkville-Southaven winner will face South Panola or Clinton for the North State championship.
Follow Scott Walters on Twitter @dispatchscott
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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