STARKVILLE — Chase Nicholson was blessed with some good players in his first year.
The Starkville Academy coach took over for Jeff Terrill this season and he knew he had some talented players. The Volunteers finished 10-2 for the second-straight season and advanced to the second round of the playoffs before losing to Simpson Academy. As an assistant coach, he saw players compete in All-Star games, but the thrill was bigger as a head coach.
“It was much deserved and much earned on their part. They worked hard for it,” Nicholson said. “It was fun to sit back and watch them play, but it was definitely different than any other year. As a head coach and hearing your name associated with them when it was called out, there is a sense of pride that comes over you.”
Nicholson got to watch as quarterback Houston Clark, offensive lineman Carter Wood, and safety/cornerback Colt Chrestman played last Friday in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools All-Star game at Jackson Prep. Clark and Chrestman helped the Blue Team beat Wood and the White Team 27-2.
Oak Hill Academy’s Heath Ford and Caleb Robertson, Heritage Academy’s Dylan Barker, and Hebron Christian’s Landon Hill also were invited to play in the game. Oak Hill Academy’s Chris Craven worked as an assistant coach.
All three players were a big reason the Volunteers had a successful season. Clark was 85 of 159 for 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns (four interceptions). He rushed for 718 yards and two touchdowns. Chrestman played on both sides of the ball. He had 33 catches for 661 yards and nine touchdowns. He rushed for 164 yards and another two touchdowns. Wood helped the offensive line open running lanes for the running backs and kept the pressure off Clark.
Clark played in the second and third quarters in the All-Star game. He was 3 of 5 for 27 yards and a touchdown. He rushed for 2 yards on three carries, but he had a long run of 14 yards
“It was a big honor, and it was fun to meet all those guys from everywhere we’ve already played against,” Clark said. “It was real fun playing against Carter.”
Chrestman didn’t play offense, but played every snap on the defense. He finished with nine tackles (three for loss), and four pass breakups.
All three Starkville Academy players said playing in the game was a unique and fun experience. They arrived for the game last Tuesday and stayed in a hotel with their teammates, practicing each day until it was time to play.
“(The best part) was just meeting all the new guys, just making a lot of friends that I’ll have for years,” Chrestman said. “It was a little different because you have an attitude toward guys when you play them and you don’t like them necessarily when you play them. When you actually meet them, they’re actually cool guys.”
Wood, who saw action at left tackle, enjoyed being on the other side of Clark and Chrestman.
“It’s fun because you get to talk about everybody else’s season,” Wood said. “You just kind of bond with them and I made a bunch of more friends over the week.”
Although Nicholson was on hand, he said he didn’t cheer for either team. But he was glad he got to watch Clark, Wood, and Chrestman play one more time and he said about 15members of the football team traveled to Jackson to watch the game.
Wood has an offer from Northeast Mississippi Community College, but he hasn’t committed. Clark and Chrestman have heard from colleges about playing football at the next level, but they are still weighing their options.
“It’s just whatever my best option is,” Wood said.
Clark and Chrestman also play baseball. They want to play football or baseball at the next level. Nicholson says there is no doubt Wood will get a shot at the next level, and believes Clark and Chrestman will get a chance, too.
The three players said they heard very little from college coaches who were at the game, but Nicholson keeps telling them it’s early in the process and offers and opportunities to play at the next level will come.
“There are scouts who know who they are because they were too active not to be noticed,” Nicholson said.
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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