RIDGELAND — Johnny Smith was “Johnny on the spot” Friday night for the Starkville High School football team.
Smith scored the first two touchdowns of his high school career to help Starkville beat Ridgeland 28-7 in the Class 5A North State championship game at Titan Stadium.
Advancing to the state title match for the first time since 2001, Starkville (12-2) will face Picayune (12-2) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Jackson. Picayune routed Pearl River Central 45-10 in Friday’s South State championship game.
A 5-foot-9 junior defensive safety, Smith scored on a 60-yard punt return in the second quarter. In the third quarter, Smith added a back-breaking 39-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
By the time Smith scored his second touchdown, the Yellow Jackets led 21-7. On this night, that would be more than enough scoreboard changing for a defense that brought its ‘A’.
“I am really speechless,” Smith said. “I never thought I would score in my career, let alone twice in one game, on this night, playing the most important game of our lives.”
Smith’s first touchdown may have been the turning point. The Titans led 7-0 and were facing a third-and-25 on their 24-yard line. Taking the snap in shotgun formation, quarterback Tyler James quick-kicked the football.
Caught by surprise, Smith took the football on his 40, made the initial defenders miss, and raced around left end 60 yards for a touchdown.
“I really didn’t know they were punting,” Smith said. “All of a sudden I looked up and the ball was in the air. Once I got over there and fielded it, I saw an opportunity. Some of their players were trying to hit me and I couldn’t let that happen. My teammates set up a good wall.
“There was a lot of confusion, but once the first couple of players missed, I knew I had a chance to take it to the end zone. I made the best of my chance.”
For the Titans, the change in momentum proved costly.
“We were facing third-and-whatever,” Ridgeland coach Kenny Burton said. “All we were trying to do is catch them off guard.”
After a sluggish first half, Smith’s touchdown appeared to be just the lift the team needed.
“You never know in a game like this, who is going to make plays,” Starkville second-year coach Jamie Mitchell said. “On the punt, (Smith) looked stunned initially. However, he is talented. You put the ball in his hands and he can make plays.
“I am tickled to death for him and this football team. There is no doubt we were struggling. Our center was hurt early and we had some false starts.”
Breaking away from a 7-7 halftime tie, the Yellow Jackets moved the first second-half possession 65 yards on four plays for the go-ahead touchdown. Quarterback Gabe Myles scored the first of his two touchdowns on an 11-yard touchdown. That drive was sparked by a 55-yard kick return by Preston Baker.
On Ridgeland’s second offensive snap of the half, the ball was knocked loose and Smith knew what to do. This time, the fumble return was 36 yards and Starkville suddenly had a 21-7 advantage.
“The ball fell right into my lap,” Smith said. “I had been to the end zone recently, so this time I knew what to do. For us, it is all about defense. We have carried this team all year. We knew tonight it was our job to make plays.”
The defense was up to the challenge. The Titans had 83 of their 209 yards total offense in the second half.
“They were trying to cut us all the time, but we found a way to get back there,” Starkville offensive/defensive lineman Eric Rogers said. “Our goal was to pressure the quarterback on every play. All we have to do now is cut down on our mistakes, stay focused, and play great defense and we will be 5A state champs.”
Rogers highlighted the pressure, recording three sacks. Taylor Johnston had a critical pass breakup, while Dennis Ware had four tackles for loss.
“We have hung our hats on defense all year,” Mitchell said. “These guys are the one who have gotten us here. As bad as we played in the first half, the defense is what kept us in the ballgame.”
Smith feels the Yellow Jackets will be ready for one last challenge.
“This feels great,” Smith said. “But we got to go home, watch film, and get ready. We got to get one more.”
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
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