STARKVILLE — Chase Nicholson senses something is hanging over the Starkville Academy football team.
As much as he tries to ignore it, Nicholson admits it is too big to dismiss. But Starkville Academy’s game against archrival Heritage Academy on Friday, Oct. 13, won’t have the same significance if his team doesn’t take care of its business at 7 tonight when it goes on the road to take on Canton Academy in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 game.
At 6-1 and 1-0 in the district, Starkville Academy and Heritage Academy, the reigning district champion, control their destiny. Wins tonight by Starkville Academy and Heritage Academy (against Winston Academy) will set up a winner-take-all matchup at C.L. Mitchell Field.
Although it might be easy for Starkville Academy to look ahead, Nicholson doesn’t believe his experienced team is going to overlook Canton Academy, which edged Winston Academy 42-39 last week. He said doing so would go against everything he and his assistant coaches have helped build and everything the players have accomplished.
“We have a big three weeks in front of us, the next one being the most important,” Nicholson said. “We have got to do it this week or that week doesn’t mean anything.”
Starkville Academy will play host to Leake Academy on Oct. 20 in its regular-season finale. Wins against Class AAAA Lamar School, Pillow Academy, and Magnolia Heights have positioned Starkville Academy for a high seed even if it fails to win the district. Smaller classification teams get additional points for beating higher classification teams, so the Volunteers likely would be a No. 6 or a No. 7 seed if they don’t win the district. The top five seeds in Class AAA will earn the top seeds.
If Starkville Academy runs the table, it likely will be a No. 2 seed behind reigning Class AAA State champion Indianola Academy. Starkville Academy lost to Indianola Academy 35-21 on Sept. 1 in Indianola.
To avoid falling victim to distractions, Nicholson said senior Kyle Faver has taken to saying “Nov. 18” during huddles and team gatherings. The MAIS Class AAA State title game will be Nov. 18. Even though the date isn’t written or highlighted on any papers or on the dry erase board in Nicholson’s office, that doesn’t mean it has been afterthought. In fact, it has been a motivator all season.
But Nicholson said the Volunteers’ selflessness has been a bigger reason why everything has stayed on course. Nicholson said Nov. 18 is the “final puzzle piece” Starkville Academy will get a chance to hold if it continues to execute.
“Hopefully we don’t finish the puzzle too early,” Nicholson said. “I believe this team takes it one week at a time. You never hear them asking questions about the future. You never hear them talking about even Heritage, knowing it is coming next week. Everybody is focused in on Canton and what Canton brings.”
Last week, Starkville Academy had to push past the distractions of Homecoming en route to a 37-6 victory against Winston Academy. Senior quarterback Ben Owens didn’t play for the second-straight week. Nicholson said Owens returned to practice Monday and is ready to go. He isn’t sure how Arnold will be used tonight.
True to their nature, the Volunteers have had others step up each week. Last week, Taylor Arnold had another big game, rushing for 149 yards and a touchdown. Nicholson said Arnold’s production hasn’t been surprising because he and the Volunteers have gotten used to strong work by the junior running back and the offensive line.
“The question was where can we get him breaks and we’re not taking away from the team,” Nicholson said. “We wanted to identify his real strengths to make sure we weren’t overusing him.”
Arnold punts, plays defense and offense, and returns punts and kicks. Nicholson said the presence of Nason Heflin and Will Miller gives Arnold a chance to catch his breath on offense if he needs it. That depth has been another key ingredient of the Volunteers’ success. Nicholson hopes new players continue to emerge to fight for weekly honors, just like he hopes the Volunteers stick to the script and keep their eyes on what is directly in front of them.
Based on the trust between the players and the coaches, Nicholson is confident Starkville Academy will be able to follow that plan. Nicholson believes that will happen because the program is built on trust that has fostered the growth of selflessness.
“They trust the process,” Nicholson said. “I think trust is important. They have to know I trust them. You have to trust or you’re not going to get 100 percent results.
“The selflessness comes through the bond of each other knowing the team is more than they are as individuals. That is not something that happens overnight. It is a process. (There is that) trust the process again.”
If things play out the way he wants them to, Nicholson hopes Starkville Academy will be focused on Canton Academy tonight and will worry about the next team on its schedule Sunday.
“I trust they also haven’t forgotten about the prize at the end,” Nicholson said.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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