STARKVILLE — Maleke Bell has seen a lot of positive things happen on the gridiron.

The Starkville High School senior defensive lineman won a state championship as a freshman in 2012. He was the only freshman to play in that title run. In 2013, Bell helped the Yellow Jackets make it to the second round of the playoffs in 2013. Last season, he played a key role in the team’s march to the North Half state championship game last season.

Bell will have a chance to win another state championship at 7 tonight when he leads Starkville (13-1) against Petal (10-4) in the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A State championship game at Ole Miss’ Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

Bell played in 10 games in 2012 and had 10 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two fumble recoveries. Quarterback Gabe Myles, who is a wide receiver for the Mississippi State football team, led Starkville to a 28-11 victory against Pascagoula for its first state championship since 2001.

Bell hoped Starkville could win a state championship last season, but it couldn’t overcome South Panola. Even with a 13-0 record, Starkville couldn’t convert a halftime lead into a victory and lost 36-26.

Bell was outspoken to his teammates about not letting that happen this season.

“That motivated us and we also motivated ourselves,” Bell said. “The last four years, Starkville has been in the North Half, the second round, but we never gave ourselves a chance to finish. This year, we finally gave ourselves a chance to finish. We’ve got to go and handle business like we always do, like Starkville can.”

Bell has helped Starkville’s defense become one of the best in the state. The Yellow Jackets are allowing 11.4 points and 222.5 yards per game. Bell has 46 tackles (20 for loss), five sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one blocked field goal, and one blocked extra point attempt.

Starkville defensive coordinator Brooks Oakley has seen a big difference from Bell since 2012.

“He’s obviously gotten better as each year’s gone on,” Oakley said. “He’s been the guy that’s been dominant inside. He’s really probably matured more as a kid, as a person more than anything else. He’s grown up so much. He takes responsibility when he messes up. He’s just a pleasure to be around and a pleasure to coach for four years.”

Although Bell is the only player on the roster to play for and to win a state championship, Oakley feels the loss to South Panola was similar to a championship game.

Many of his defensive players earned meaningful snaps in that game, so they know what to expect.

“The games can only get so big, and those were really huge games,” Oakley said. “This is another big one, so I think we’ll be fine experience wise.”

Oakley said Petal’s offense is comparable to Olive Branch’s. The Jackets beat the Conquistadors 46-24 in the first round of the playoffs. He will lean on Bell and veterans Lorenzo Dantzler, Kobe Jones, Abdural Lee, Jeremy Skinner, Terrance Grayer, and Willie Gay to help the team complete the journey.

“They’ve been leaders throughout, especially when we got into the playoffs,” Oakley said. “Those guys have been ready to practice and ready to prepare. I haven’t seen a change in them. I think they’ve known what’s been on the line for the last four weeks. We just continue to go about our business.”

Bell doesn’t have many Division I scholarship offers, but he has been one of the best for Oakley the last four seasons. Oakley thinks the Yellow Jackets will miss Bell’s attitude the most.

“He’s probably the guy on our side on defense that really brings life to practice,” Oakley said. “He’s always the one joking. It doesn’t matter if we’re getting prepared for a jamboree or getting prepared for a state championship game, he’s out there during stretch and he just keeps everything light. That’s probably what I’ll remember most. When it’s time to get serious, he knows when to turn it on and get ready to play.”

Ben Wait reports on Mississippi State University sports for The Dispatch.