STARKVILLE — Region play starts across Mississippi this week, and Starkville begins its quest for redemption from last season’s title game defeat. The Jackets’ first opponent is a team that gave them fits last year.
The Jackets enter 7A Region 2 play with a 5-1 record and are looking to make it three wins in a row after road wins over Oxford and Greenwood in the last two outings.
The Jackets left something to be desired defensively in its 42-41 loss to Louisville on Sept. 20, but responded by holding the Chargers to just 9 points and shutting out the Mavericks on the road.
“I think we’re trending in the right direction,” Jackets head coach Chris Jones said. “We had a few bumps early in the season but we’ve done a good job the last few games just lining up the right way, finishing tackles and being in the right spot to be successful. We’re improving at the right time with district starting, but we’ll have our hands full with Germantown.”
Now, Jones’ team enters district play against an opponent that got the best of them last year.
“Last year was one of those games, man,” Jones said, reflecting on the 34-33 road loss. “Hopefully, we do a better job this year, and I think we will, but we have to get off the field on third downs and play the right way. Make sure we tackle, win in the trenches and take care of the ball.”
The Jackets look a bit different from the team that made the trip last year, but they’re still getting two-way production from a trio of All-Stars. Mississippi Association of Coaches All-Star selections Jaylon Ruffin, D.J. Hairtston and Townes Fulford have helped power this team to a strong start, and are a big part of what makes the offense and defense tick.
“They’re just football players,” Jones said. “They can play anywhere, and they do whatever they’re asked when it’s about getting your best eleven guys on the field. They all give us a great chance to win.”
Ruffin is having a particularly good year at quarterback, with 13 touchdown passes and four rushing scores through six games, completing just over 60% of his passes and averaging 266.3 total yards per game. He has waited patiently for his chance to lead the team under center and hasn’t missed a beat so far.
That preparation and next-man-up mentality is something Jones has worked hard to establish over his eight years with the Jackets. They have a high standard to live up to each year, and this year was no different despite the large number of starters graduating last spring. They want to get back to the mountain top, and that climb through 7A starts on Friday against Germantown.
“We need to start fast and finish strong,” Jones said. “What the really good teams do is get the small things right. Everybody in this league is good enough, they don’t need our help getting opportunities. We need to play the right way, a little smarter and a little harder. There are no redos and losing puts you behind in making the playoffs. We need to be locked in from the first whistle and play the game the right way.”
The game kicks off at 7 p.m. Friday at Yellow Jacket Stadium.
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 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
