From Special Reports
A change in philosophy is paying off for the Starkville High School boys’ soccer team.
Playing in the one of the toughest regions in the state, coach Brian Bennett altered his philosophy after the Yellow Jackets missed the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A playoffs last season.
“We changed our style a little bit,” Bennett said. “Northwest Rankin and Madison Central both play long ball. They are real physical and strong in the air. We have done more of that stuff ourselves this season.”
The new style is catching on as Starkville improved to 10-1 with a 5-1 win at New Hope Tuesday night.
“It is more about possession time,” Bennett said. “We have tried to attack more this year and put more pressure on the other team. If you are going to make mistakes, it is better to make them in the offensive third, instead of the defensive third. So far, I really like how the team is progressing.”
Starkville’s lone loss was in its only region match so far – a 2-1 setback at Madison Central. The next region match is Friday at home when Columbus pays a visit.
In the win over New Hope, Kaleb Gwaltney had three goals, while Roger Shilling and Michael Godley added a goal apiece.
Starkville led 4-0 at halftime.
“It is most likely the toughest region in the state so the match with Columbus is huge Friday,” Bennett said. “We pretty much know we need to get back to even in region play.”
In Tuesday’s opener, Cailee Helen McClain scored three goals as the Starkville girls knocked off New Hope, 4-2.
Amory sweeps Columbus: At Columbus, neither the homestanding Lady Falcons or Falcons could generate any offense in a pair of 2-0 defeats.
The Amory girls received goals from Ashley Stevens and Chloe Tomlin, while the Amory boys received two second-half goals from Phillip Tyra on assists from Brendan Koehn.
Both Columbus squads travel to Starkville Friday.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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