STARKVILLE — On a night in which rain limited both spectators and offense, it was the Starkville defense that carried the Yellow Jackets to a 20-3 win over Olive Branch in Friday’s MHSAA Class 6A second-round matchup.
“At the end of the day, offense sells tickets, but it was hard to sell tickets tonight in this weather,” Starkville coach Chris Jones said. “But defense wins championships, so I’m proud of my guys.”
Having entered the contest allowing just 14.8 points per game, the Yellow Jacket defense thrice picked off Conquistadors quarterback Eli Ashley — both of which turned into Starkville points.
One week after recording his first interception of the year against Horn Lake, senior safety Justice Robinson ripped a ball out of an Olive Branch receiver’s hands, taking Ashley’s first pick of the game 63 yards for a touchdown as a gaggle of gold jerseys followed him to pay dirt.
“I had already told myself before the play, ‘If they throw it, I’m going to pick it and take it to the crib,'” Robinson said. “And then when they threw it, I did.”
Senior cornerback Khiry Gee then backed up Robinson’s pick with an interception of his own. As Ashley lofted a ball toward the front right pylon, the pass sailed into Gee’s hands. Taking off down the Olive Branch sideline, he took the ball up to the Starkville 38-yard line.
Six plays later, junior quarterback Luke Altmyer delivered a strike to senior receiver Jatavious Lucious for a 28-yard score with 20 seconds remaining in the first half.
Senior defensive back Ashton Wilson added the third pick of the night as Ashley floated a pass to the flat. Diving under the sinking pass, Wilson corralled the ball as he crashed into the turf.
“We all knew what we were going to have to do,” Robinson. “We were preparing to (have to step up) throughout the whole week.”
Offensively, the Yellow Jackets spent the week practicing with a wet ball in preparation for the elements. In response, Altmyer managed an 138-yard, two-touchdown performance, upping his season touchdown total to 35.
Senior receiver Rufus Harvey — who was limited to one reception for 15 yards and a touchdown — moved his single-season receiving mark to 997 yards — 338 yards short of former Ole Miss receiver and current Tennessee Titan A.J. Brown’s school record.
“I felt like we played great on offense, but we wouldn’t be where we are without that defense,” Altmyer said. “Gave up those three points on the first drive, but what more can you ask for from them?”
With the win, Starkville moves to 9-7 against Olive Branch all time and 2-0 in the playoffs. The Yellow Jackets will next meet Oxford — who defeated South Panola 17-7 on Friday night — in next weekend’s Class 6A north half championship.
The Yellow Jackets downed the Chargers 45-17 in their regular season meeting Aug. 30.
“It’s a rivalry game — it’s going to be tight; it’s going to be a good one,” Altmyer said. “We won the last one, and we’re going to win this one.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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