SENATOBIA — The Starkville Academy football team overcame a 23-point deficit with 28 unanswered points in the second half to beat Magnolia Heights in the first round of the MAIS Class 5A playoffs on Friday in Senatobia.
Starkville Academy trailed 30-7 after a Mag Heights score with 4:54 to go in the third quarter, and the Volunteers didn’t score again in the third. Instead, the Vols scored 28 points in the fourth quarter to shock the host Chiefs 35-30.
“Our guys continued to play and never gave up,” Starkville Academy coach Chase Nicholson said. “Proud of their fight. We have another week to get better.”
CJ Jackson scored three rushing touchdowns for the Vols, and Matt Miller scored one. Sam Clark blocked a punt for the team.
With the win, Starkville Academy advances to face Lamar School in the second round in Meridian on Friday.
Kemper Academy 40, Hebron Christian 8
DE KALB — Hebron Christian School’s football season came to an end Friday with a 40-8 loss at Kemper Academy in the MAIS Class 2A playoffs in De Kalb.
The game swung when the Eagles, trailing 14-8, were stuffed on the 2-yard line to end the first half. With four players injured, Hebron started the second half slowly, and Kemper pulled away for a 40-8 win.
“Our goal was to make it back to playoffs,” Hebron head coach David Foster said. “We would have liked to have gotten a win.”
Elijah Parrish scored a 3-yard touchdown for the Eagles, whose season ended with a 2-9 record. Kobe Cooper, who led the team with 17 carries for 62 yards, converted the two-point try.
Parrish finished with six carries for 57 yards. Quarterback Braeden Triplett was 1 of 2 passing for 19 yards, as Bradley Scott had the reception. Scott and Parrish tied for the team lead with nine tackles each.
“We have improved through the season and played hard, but injuries have really hurt us since we have small numbers,” Foster said. “Proud of my team for competing.”
No. 1 Starkville 50, Warren Central 24
VICKSBURG — Luke Altmyer and the Starkville High School offense woke up in the second half Friday against Warren Central in Vicksburg, scoring 44 points in the second half to propel the top-ranked Yellow Jackets to a 50-24 road win.
Altmyer threw five touchdown passes Friday, including four in the second half, to lead the comeback after a shaky first half from the Jackets.
The Vikings grabbed a 17-6 lead at halftime when Jaylin Thompson ran a blocked Starkville field goal at the buzzer back 57 yards for a touchdown, but it was the largest lead Warren Central would hold.
In the third quarter, the Yellow Jackets stung the Vikings three straight times to reclaim the lead. Altmyer threw touchdown passes to Leroy Hollingshed and Amariyon Howard, and Key Lawrence rushed for a 2-yard touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, Altmyer connected with Rufus Harvey for a pair of touchdown passes, and Jamori Evans had a 78-yard pick-six. The Jackets also forced a safety.
Howard led Starkville on the ground with 20 carries for 104 yards, and Harvey was the leading receiver with eight catches for 102 yards and his two scores.
Noxubee County 25, Aberdeen 14
ABERDEEN — Noxubee County is heading into the MHSAA Class 3A playoffs with momentum after Friday’s 25-14 road win at Aberdeen.
Quarterback Marlon Windham passed for a touchdown and ran for another in the first half Friday. His 22-yard rushing score, an 18-yard touchdown toss to Damien Verdell and Bobby Shanklin’s 15-yard rushing touchdown gave the Tigers an 18-8 lead at the half, and they were able to hold on.
Noxubee County (6-5) already knew its playoff seed last week but now knows its opponent. The Tigers will host Coahoma Agricultural (5-5) on Friday.
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 52 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.