Starkville Academy’s 23-7 loss to Jackson Academy in the Volunteers’ regular-season finale on Oct. 25 changed something in the team.
“I think it kind of woke us up and said that we should have won that game, could have won that game,” Starkville Academy coach Chase Nicholson said. “‘How good can we really be’?”
But the past two weeks, in the MAIS Class 5A playoffs, the Vols found out exactly what they were capable of.
They stormed back with 28 unanswered second-half points to beat Magnolia Heights in Senatobia. Then they knocked off second-seeded Lamar School in Meridian on a late safety.
Now Starkville Academy (8-4) has another road test against a familiar foe. The Vols have seen Adams County Christian (9-3) three times in recent years — the Rebels have won twice, the Vols once. Friday’s game in Natchez is game No. 4.
“Like they always are, they’re a solid, consistent team, and coach (David) King has a legacy of playoffs and championships and winning a lot of ’em,” Nicholson said. “We know he’s gonna bring a great team that’s ready to play, and we’re gonna have to match their intensity and surpass what we plan to do when we go down there.”
Intensity hasn’t been a problem for the Vols of late, given their comeback against Mag Heights and the upset of Lamar. But Nicholson knows his team is still capable of playing a more complete game than it has shown so far.
“We haven’t peaked yet,” he said. “We’ve continued to fight, continued to battle. Our best game has not been played yet. It’s still out in front of us, and we’re still playing this week, so that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
If junior running back CJ Jackson can continue his consistency on the ground and senior defensive back Sam Clark can repeat last week’s performance (two interceptions and a blocked kick), the Vols might be able to expect a third straight road win and a berth into the playoffs. But that’s a big ask, and Nicholson knows it.
“It’s gonna come down to who wants it more,” he said.
Pillow Academy (9-2) at Heritage Academy (12-0)
Pillow Academy was the opponent when Heritage Academy played its second-closest game of the season — and it was still a 13-point win for the Patriots.
But that was late September, Heritage Academy coach Sean Harrison said, and now that the Pats will face the Mustangs in Friday’s state semifinal, things are different — Heritage Academy can’t afford to simply expect a repeat against a team Harrison had plenty of praise for.
“I think they’re one of the best teams in the state,” he said.
Harrison knows the strength of Pillow Academy’s passing offense, and he knows the Mustangs will get their share through the air Friday. In the two teams’ first matchup, Pillow Academy completed 25 of its 39 pass attempts and had just 24 rushing attempts.
But in that game, the Pats were able to pass their way to victory, too. Senior quarterback Carter Putt tossed two touchdown passes to wideout Jared Long and one to running back KJ Smith in the 26-13 win.
The Patriots’ offense and defense, of course, have been dominant all season. But as long as Heritage Academy can control possession and limit its turnovers, Harrison said, the Pats should emerge from Friday night’s contest one win away from a state championship.
Noxubee County (7-5) at No. 3 Senatobia (9-2)
From his years as a player and a coach, Noxubee County coach Teddy Young knows two things tend to be found on the winning side in the playoffs: A good running game and a good defense.
The Tigers checked both boxes and then some last week in a 53-0 win over Coahoma Agricultural: Running back Bobby Shanklin had four rushing scores, and the Noxubee County defense returned two interceptions for touchdowns.
But this week at No. 3 Senatobia, the competition is increased for the Tigers.
Much like Noxubee County, the Warriors have a strong defense — anchored by a standout defensive line — and a solid running game led by running back Nickisis Sipp, who has run for 1,183 yards this season.
“Watching him on film, he’s a shifty back,” Young said of Sipp. “He runs the ball hard.”
Young knows the Tigers will have to rely on their own defensive line, led by junior Travorus Hatcher, to keep Sipp in the backfield. If he escapes, Noxubee County’s linebackers and secondary have to take good angles to the ball, Young said.
But overall, Young said, Friday’s game boils down to the thing he’s stressed all season.
“We’ve gotta win in the trenches on both sides of the ball,” he said.
Columbus Christian Academy (9-2) at Marvell (Ark.) Academy (10-1)
Columbus Christian Academy is one game away from playing for an MAIS Eight-Man Class 2A state title.
According to Rams coach Jason Williams, the path to getting there isn’t easy — but it is somewhat straightforward.
“What we’ve gotta do is play better than we played last Friday night,” Williams said. “That’s what we’re trying to do: just improve as the season goes.”
Columbus Christian did win its first playoff matchup last week, a 30-14 victory over Riverdale Academy (Louisiana), but there are still plenty of things to improve on. Williams knows the Rams can block, tackle and simply play better than they did, and now their season depends on it.
“We’ve gotta do those small things and do them a little better than we did last week,” Williams said.
Columbus Christian will have to show significant progress from its 52-12 home loss on Sept. 13 to the very Marvell team it now faces, but it’s far from a long shot, Williams said.
“I think the plays will come,” he said. “We’re very capable of making plays against them.”
Quarterback Dakota Shaw, running back Bryar Kemp and receivers Will Teague and Lawson Studdard will lead the way for the Rams again, but Williams said everyone on the team’s 16-man roster will be asked to contribute in some fashion.
If the Rams can string together a truly complete game, Williams said, they’ll be able to get over the hump against the Eagles on Friday night.
“That’s the thing: just to do better than we did last week and hopefully play our best game of the year,” he said. “I think that best game’s still out there. We want to go to Marvell and play that game.”
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 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.