For both Clinton and Starkville, it’s about keeping momentum.
That will be the case as the Yellowjackets make the trip down to Clinton to face the Arrows on Friday night at Arrow Field in yet another crucial Region 2-7A matchup.
Starkville (6-1, 1-0 Region 2-7A) is looking to keep rolling following their shutout of Germantown last week, while Clinton (3-3) is coming off a bye week last week but did handle Terry 42-7 in Week 7. This will be the Arrows first game in region play.
“Just in this region you have to bring your ‘A’ game every week and we expect it this week,” Starkville coach Chris Jones said. “Clinton is really good and with a new coach they’re doing things different on both sides of the ball.”
The Yellowjacket offense will come to this game averaging 33.7 points, 205.4 yards rushing, and 142.3 yards passing per game led by quarterback Jaylon Ruffin (1,180 yards passing, 14 touchdowns), receivers Davarrius Hairston (7 receiving touchdowns), Isaiah Witherspoon and Jaheim Deanes along with running back A’Braylen Jenkins. Linebackers Shiloh Johnson and Zachariah Hill lead a Starkville defense that gives up 16.3 points per game.
“Ruffin just needs to be consistent every play and make the right decision. We’re a zone run team on offense, so we need him to use his feet and extend plays and he’s done a good job of that. We got to execute and take care of the ball and our offensive line is going to have to contain the line of scrimmage,” Jones said. “Defensively we’re going to have to stop the run and try to make them one-dimensional and win the battle up front in the trenches.”
The Arrows offensive attack is nothing short of potent as they’re averaging 32.7 points, 201.3 yards passing, and 142.8 yards rushing anchored by quarterback Josef Walker (1,085 yards passing, 6 touchdowns) and running back Jakobe Williams (13 rushing touchdowns) along with a solid group of receivers in Aiden Knox, Erich Johnson, and Jaydann Hollins. The Arrow defense allows 35.2 points per game led by Jaiden Jefferson, Adam Alexander, and Chad Holiday.
“Got some momentum heading into district play and the bye week for us came at the right time. Starkville is well coached and extremely talented. (The) key for us is we cannot make mistakes and (are) going to have to play really well on both sides,” Clinton coach John Carr said. “(Their) QB makes them go and they run the ball really well. They do things they do really well and they put a lot of stress on the defense making plays in open space, so we’re going to have to tackle well in open space.”
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