STARKVILLE — While Starkville High School kept accumulating football wins, it knew sooner or later what was bound to happen.
“We want to win a state championship,” Starkville High School senior linebacker Alonzo Flowers said. “We knew that it didn’t matter how many wins we got. Eventually we would have to beat South Panola.”
That time is now.
Top-ranked Starkville (13-0) faces No. 2 South Panola (13-0) Friday for the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A North State championship.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Yellow Jacket Stadium. Fans are encourage to take advantage of advance ticket sales and to arrive at the stadium early.
“You have the two best teams in the north part of the state playing for the North State championship,” Starkville coach Jamie Mitchell said. “This is clearly football at its finest. You know going in when you will have to play the near-perfect game. Now you go out and see how close you can get to achieving that.”
The teams last played for the North State championship in 2001.
However, the teams have played numerous important games with one another, including last season’s 20-6 victory by South Panola in the second round of the North State Class 6A playoffs.
“We want to get some revenge for them putting us out last year,” Starkville senior running back Matt Fuller said.
“Obviously, you are playing to reach the state championship so that is the motivation. But we also want the revenge. We know they are one of the best teams in the state, like we are. So we got to go out and play really hard and prove that we are the best.”
Starkville has dominated in its first two playoff games. The Yellow Jackets shut out Tupelo 30-0 before whipping Southaven 34-10. Despite an easy victory in the second round, the Yellow Jackets had their moments of disconnect, including three turnovers against Southaven.
“We have to go out and really be perfect,” Starkville junior wide receiver A.J. Brown said. “When you are playing South Panola, everybody’s motor runs a little harder in practice. We have to take advantage of our scoring opportunities but certainly it is something we know that we can do.”
South Panola rolled past Northwest Rankin 32-0 in its playoff opener. However, the Tigers had a much tougher time the following week in a 9-7 win over Clinton.
Starkville can relate to tough games with Clinton. It knocked off the Arrows 56-46 in the regular season.
Still, South Panola managed 235 yards of total offense two weeks after Starkville amassed 650 yards against Clinton.
“The name South Panola changes your entire week and your entire preparation,” Mitchell said. “We have been playing all year with a bulls-eye on our back.
“However, this week is a little different. You are playing someone with as many wins and as many accolades. So you know your kids will be focused and ready to play their best.”
Starkville won the Class 5A state championship in 2012. South Panola won the Class 6A state championship that same season.
Friday’s winner will be in line to win two state championships in a stretch of three seasons.
“We have worked hard for this moment,” Starkville senior defensive back Tyler Rogers said. “We knew sooner or later you would see South Panola on the schedule.
“We knew they would stand in our way of playing for the state championship. So we have been preparing for this moment all year. Each win has been a step along the way.”
Rogers had four interceptions in the win over Southaven.
A similar defensive effort will be necessary to get the Yellow Jackets to state championship weekend.
“We are ready,” Flowers said. “We will be at our best.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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