Mistakes too much for Panthers to shake

With a home playoff game on the line, the West Lowndes High School football team picked the wrong time to play its worst game of the season.

Starkville remains focused on playoffs

With three football games remaining in the regular season, all eyes are toward the playoffs. Starkville High’s last-gasp, one-point loss to Southaven created a logjam in Class 6A, Region 1, where four teams could end the weekend tied for second in the region.

Expectations puzzle MSU’s Stansbury

Mississippi State head basketball coach Rick Stansbury was surprised to see the media select his team as preseason favorite to win the Southeastern Conference’s West Division. Not that he doesn’t have complete confidence in his team, but more than anyone he knows what the Bulldogs lost from last season.

Bulldogs’ Bailey is Mr. Fix-it

Turns out, Mississippi State forward Elgin Bailey can fix anything. Team in need of a confidence boost? Bailey’s got you covered. Need intense defending and rebounding? He’ll hook you up.

Smith hopes to make an impact

Shaun Smith has been chasing his basketball potential for the past three years.

That’s saying a lot for a player who was heavily recruited as a high school senior.

MSU football succeeds with direct approach

STARKVILLE — No pass, no problem.

The Mississippi State football team’s commitment to the running game reached its defining moment Saturday in a 10-7 landmark win against then-No. 22 University of Florida.

Full speed ahead for MSU’s White

STARKVILLE — Judging by Mississippi State linebacker Chris White’s glowing stat line Saturday against then-No. 22 University of Florida, you’d think he’d been playing middle linebacker all his life.

Assumptions are risky, but in White’s case it’s considered a compliment.

Notoriety challenge for ranked Bulldogs

STARKVILLE — It’s time to see how the Mississippi State football team handles success.

The No. 24 Bulldogs (5-2, 2-2 Southeastern Conference) are ranked for the first time in nine years and are one win away from bowl eligibility after beating then-No. 22 Florida 10-7 Saturday in Gainesville, Fla.

Vols to run Monday in North State cross country meet

n Susan Willard’s first year as Starkville Academy’s cross country coach, she’s guided the team through youth and inexperience.

Yellow Jackets fall to Chargers in first region loss

With less than a minute to play Friday, Starkville High’s Jaquez Johnson and Shaquille Hill re-enacted Joe Montana’s famous NFC Championship game pass to Dwight Clark.

East Webster’s offense running toward playoffs

East Webster’s offense is steamrolling through its schedule thanks to a dynamic option offense. The Wolverines (8-0, 2-0 Class 2A Region 2) have shut out four opponents this season and have rUn the option to perfection. So much so that quarterback Ledrick Patterson has attempted just 34 passes.

Stansbury, Bulldogs set to open season

STARKVILLE — Healthy and drama-free, the Mississippi State men’s basketball will hold its first team practice Friday.

From two NCAA eligibility appeals to three injury rehabilitations to two transfers, MSU is intact — at least after Renardo Sidney and Dee Bost return from nine-game suspensions.

MSU needs receivers to do more

STARKVILLE — In the wake of season-ending injuries to Marcus Green and Leon Berry, Mississippi State’s receiving corp needs new options to emerge.

Starkville High football to face high-powered Southaven

STARKVILLE — Expect the offensive fireworks to continue at 7 Friday night when the Starkville High School football team returns home to play host to Southaven.

The Yellow Jackets, who’ll face the Chargers for homecoming, hope the yardage is as one-sided as their last home game, a 47-14 victory against Tupelo on Oct. 1.

Starkville High cross country preparing for first home meet

STARKVILLE — Coming off a pair of successful meets, the Starkville High’s cross country team is preparing for its two biggest meets of the season.

Starkville will host its first track meet at the Mississippi State horse park Oct. 23 before running at the Class 6A state meet at Choctaw Trails on Nov. 6.

Starkville High swimming gearing up for big finishes

STARKVILLE — Starkville High School’s swim teams have consistently placed in the top three through six events this season.

Coach Angela Hobart hopes the team’s return Saturday to Courthouse Pool in Flowood for the North State championship produces the same results.

Miss. State’s Augustus says he’s making up for lost time

Kodi Augustus feels like he’s making up for lost time as he prepares for his senior season as a Mississippi State Bulldog.

Mullen returns to Gators’ stadium for first time

Having already faced his mentor for the first time, Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen is set to return to the stadium where he made a name for himself as a quarterback guru and play-caller.

Confident Bulldogs ready for Gators

STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen believes last year’s loss to the University of Florida was an awakening for his team.

In Starkville, Mullen led the Bulldogs to a near-upset of the Tim Tebow-led, No. 1-ranked Gators. MSU fell 29-19, but for most of the game was within a touchdown or field goal, and even tied the game at 13 in the third quarter.

Mullen puts stamp on MSU

Mississippi State’s 47-24 win over Houston only strengthened its identity since head coach Dan Mullen took over last season.