STARKVILLE — There are no secrets to the success of the Starkville Academy football program.
In years past, former coach Jeff Terrill used to characterize the team’s mentality as “blue collar.” That mind-set reflected the Volunteers’ willingness to get down in the dirt or to go out in the elements and do their job.
Things didn’t change when Chase Nicholson transitioned from an assistant coach and took over for Terrill. The only adjustment the Volunteers had to make was hearing a different word — “outwork” — used to describe that approach.
“If you tell them that hard work is going to be rewarded, they’re going to continue to work and get better,” Nicholson said. “If you do the work and commit to the work, the results are what get you on the field.”
Starkville Academy has achieved rousing results this season by following that plan. It will look to stay on course at 7 p.m. Friday when it plays host to No. 7 seed Central Hinds Academy in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA second-round playoff game at J.E. Logan Field.
Starkville Academy (10-1), the District 2 champion and the No. 2 seed, is coming off a 41-0 victory against No. 15 seed Park Place Christian Academy in Starkville.
Prior to that game, Nicholson talked about his team being mentally prepared to take care of business. He warned his players that they had to raise their level of play and try to execute like a No. 2 seed. Nicholson said he was proud of his players for doing that.
“We were 40 points better than them,” Nicholson said. “If we didn’t play 40 points better than them, how do we expect to get where we are going?”
The destination is Jackson Academy. The date is No. 18. It’s something the Volunteers have focused on all season. When needed, senior Kyle Faver has reminded his teammates about their goal to get them back on track. Nicholson said that date has helped keep everyone unified and focused on the process. As a result, the players have picked each other up and embraced the notion of outworking every opponent every day.
Nicholson said that mind-set was forged with discipline. He recounted his first day of practice as head coach and having his players do up-downs because some of the Volunteers were late. Since then, the Volunteers have done their best to be on time and to do their work as efficiently as possible.
“We know people are working,” Nicholson said. “We are not dumb. We are not the only football team that doesn’t run from the heat or the rain, but we will outwork everybody else. We will work harder than everybody else. That is the mentality. If you just say work, you’re just working to work. We want to outwork all of the other teams.”
Nicholson said that mantra has been passed down from class to class. He said this season’s group of 14 seniors has relished the opportunity to follow the team-first approach as evidenced by the fact so many players have contributed to the success.
Nicholson said the seeds of that success started to grow in the middle of the summer when the Volunteers practiced while other teams rested. He said those seeds flourished on rainy days when they team practiced while opponents waited out the weather.
“It’s all a mentality somehow we have all created,” Nicholson said. “It’s not me. It’s us as a unit, coaches, and players and what they have bought into.”
Defense has been a calling card for the Volunteers. Last week, Starkville Academy earned its fourth shutout. The Volunteers have allowed only 124 points.
Central Hinds (8-3) also has relied on its defense. The Cougars, who have won five games in a row, have surrendered only 134 points. Central Hinds was the second-place team in District 3 behind Riverfield Academy (La.), which is the No. 4 overall seed. Central Hinds lost to Riverfield Academy 12-3.
Central Hinds lost its first two games of the season — 34-7 to ACCS and 15-13 to Bayou Academy. It beat Park Place Christian 38-14 on Oct. 13 and Washington School 25-20 on Oct. 20. Last week, Central Hinds Academy, which is in Raymond, beat No. 10 seed Cathedral School 34-14.
The winner of the second-round game will play the winner of the game between No. 3 seed Adams County Christian School and No. 6 seed Heritage Academy. Starkville Academy beat Heritage Academy 17-14 on Oct. 13.
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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