STARKVILLE — Starkville High School running back Avery Brown had lofty expectations to live up to this season.
Matt Fuller rushed for 1,000 yards last season, while Jacquez Horsley was close to breaking the 1,000-yard mark but was bothered by injuries. Preston Baker, Brown’s cousin, rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 2012.
Brown knows all about the running backs who have come before him. He has used their contributions as motivation to help prepare him for his opportunity.
Last season, Brown was third on the team in rushing and had four touchdowns, but he believed 2015 was going to be his chance to be the team’s primary back. While there were doubts about whether Brown could live up to the hype and carry on the school’s tradition of running backs, his teammates had his back.
“Avery is one of the best backs to come through here,” senior defensive lineman Maleke Bell said. “I wouldn’t say he’s the best back, but he will give those guys a run for their money in the future.”
Brown has shown he is more than capable. In fact, he has saved some of his best performances for the playoffs. Last week, Brown had 33 carries for 245 yards and four touchdowns and caught a team-high seven passes for 78 yards in a 45-27 victory against Clinton 45-27 in the second round of the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A playoffs.
For his efforts, Brown is The
Dispatch’s Prep Player of the Week.
Brown will try to duplicate his performance at 7 p.m. Friday when Starkville (12-1) plays host to Madison Central (9-5) in the Class 6A North Half State championship game at Yellow Jacket Stadium.
Brown eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark Nov. 6 in a victory against Clinton in the regular-season finale. He became the first Starkville player to get 1,000 yards or more in the regular season since Pat Shed in 2007. In 13 games, he has 266 carries for 1,433 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is averaging 5.4 yards per carry and 110.2 yards per game. He is second on the team with 31 catches for 405 yards and two touchdowns.
The Yellow Jackets (12-1) struggled running the ball early in the season and relied on a passing attack fueled by senior quarterback Montario Montgomery and senior wide receiver A.J. Brown. In the first eight games, Avery Brown rushed for 714 yards, but he has rushed for the same total in the last five games, including two playoff games.
“I’ve just been playing my role and not worrying about anybody else,” Avery Brown said. “I just take care of my business,and that’s been a big part of me making plays.”
Clinton took away A.J. Brown last week by bracketing and double-teaming him. The move gave other players a chance to step up on, and Avery Brown obliged, as the Yellow Jackets had 456 yards of offense (159 passing).
“He’s kicked it up to another gear,” Montgomery said. “He’s got his mind-set as just get him the ball and he’s going to make plays. He carried the offense Friday. We’re just thankful he has another gear on.”
Montgomery said Brown has been more intense and focused in practice the last few weeks.
Starkville first-year coach Ricky Woods has said all season his team is going to have to run the ball to have any chance at winning a state championship. He tried to jump-start the rushing attack early in the season, but he has seen Brown take it to another level.
“He’s just stepping up and he’s getting better like you’re supposed to,” Woods said. “Your senior year is to be your best year. That’s what he’s doing for himself.”
Woods said a lot of the credit goes to the offensive line, and Brown agrees. Brown mentioned Jakoby Jones, Kobe Jones, Quez Roberts, and Connor Reinike as key ingredient in the success of the running game.
Still, Brown has elevated his play.
“It gives me major confidence,” Avery said. “Words can’t explain.”
Brown hasn’t received any interest from junior colleges, but that might change. For now, though, he is going to focus on helping push Starkville to a state championship.
“He’s just grinding,” Bell said. “He just keeps pushing, and he’s a hard worker.”
Follow Dispatch sports writer Ben Wait on Twitter @bcwait
Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.
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