STARKVILLE — There are plenty of carries to go around in the Starkville Academy football team”s option offense.
But after rushing for a career-high 187 yards and three touchdowns Friday to lead Starkville Academy to a 38-3 win against St. Andrews Episcopal, junior running back Colby Runnels staked his claim for the lion”s share moving forward.
Runnels had scoring runs of 7, 23, and 87 yards, the last of which put the dagger in an overmatched St. Andrews team in the fourth quarter.
The scoring run was the longest of Runnels” high school career. It came a play after he lost a fumble on Starkville Academy”s previous drive and was the first play of the Volunteers” very next possession.
Runnels did his damage on just nine carries.
“To be honest, I got the 10 and my legs got heavy,” Runnels said. “But we condition hard for moments like that. I knew I had to make up for that fumble.”
The Volunteers (1-0) passed just twice and racked up 359 rushing yards.
“We ran well and I”m pleased with the job we did up front,” Starkville Academy coach Jeff Terrill said. “Plus we had some backs really step up.”
Starkville Academy”s rushing attack chewed up eight minutes of clock to start the game. Senior fullback Ryan Mann (15 carries, 68 yards) had 10 carries on the 14-play drive to give Starkville Academy a 7-0 lead.
The Volunteers carried a 21-3 lead into the break following second quarter rushing scores from Ryan McKell and Runnels.
Starkville Academy”s defense came up with key second-half turnovers as JM Robinson recovered a fumble and Taylor Hunt picked off a Jonathon Taylor pass to set up Runnels” second scoring run.
Angus Catchot and Collin Stokes added sacks for Starkville Academy.
St. Andrews (0-1) had only 53 rushing yards. Taylor was 8 of 17 for 42 yards with an interception.
“You turn your program around with defense,” Terrill said. “I”m pleased with how we played tonight.”
The Volunteers have won three of their past four games dating back to last season. They have scored 30 points or more in each of their past four wins.
“It”s been a long time since we”ve had this mentality, to win big like this,” Runnels said.
Starkville Academy will play Friday at Heritage Academy.
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