STARKVILLE — The Volunteers had Friday night’s game all but wrapped up, but they needed more than just a win to consider the night a complete success.
Because of the MAIS power points system, Starkville Academy needed to defeat Magnolia Heights by at least eight to secure a district title and a top-three seed in the playoffs. The Volunteers led by just one after recovering an onside kick with a minute remaining, so they opted to be aggressive.
It backfired in a big way. Quarterback Luke McKenzie threw an interception on the first play of the drive, and the Chiefs, with all three timeouts, drove down the field and stole the game from SA on a field goal in the final seconds, 23-21.
“Our guys played really hard. They put themselves in position to win a championship,” Volunteers head coach Chase Nicholson said. “They did everything we asked them to do, and they won the football game. But because of the situation, because we were trying to get that third seed and the first-round bye, we had to do something a little unorthodox, and the worst thing possible happened.”
SA (4-6) still has a chance to make the playoffs — and Nicholson was confident that his team will — depending on results elsewhere. But the loss to Magnolia Heights (9-2) was almost certainly the Volunteers seniors’ last game on their home field.
After going three-and-out on its first offensive possession, SA struck first late in the opening quarter on a 30-yard field goal by Nathan Miller. But after the Volunteers turned the ball over on downs early in the second quarter, the Chiefs capitalized to take the lead on a screen pass from Cole Prosek to Brayden Burford that Burford turned into a 71-yard touchdown.
SA defensive back Nate Fratesi intercepted a pass from Prosek later in the quarter to give the Vols excellent field position, and they took advantage of it when Miller Shy found the edge for a 9-yard touchdown run to put the hosts on top 10-7 at the half.
“They never quit. That’s the thing about this team all year long,” Nicholson said. “They’ve never quit fighting no matter the odds, no matter the situation. They keep clawing and fighting their way out.”
Miller was true again on a 38-yard field goal to extend the SA lead to six midway through the third quarter, but the Prosek-Burford connection struck again for Magnolia Heights on the Chiefs’ ensuing drive, this time from eight yards out to put the visitors up 14-13.
After the teams traded punts, the Vols took up nearly six minutes of the fourth quarter on their next possession, driving 80 yards in 12 plays and retaking the lead on a Luke Johnson 17-yard touchdown run. McKenzie ran in the two-point conversion to give SA a 21-14 lead with less than five minutes remaining.
But Magnolia Heights overcame three offensive penalties when it got the ball back, and Prosek connected with Trace Hartzog for a touchdown with just over a minute left. The Chiefs tried to take the lead with a two-point conversion, but Prosek’s pass was broken up.
Then came the onside kick and the Vols’ decision to put the ball in the air.
“That was my call. That was the call that I made,” Nicholson said. “I felt good about the play. I felt like we could get points on the board quickly with it.”
A long completion from Prosek to Hayden Jones picked up 42 yards to put Magnolia Heights into field goal range, and the Chiefs continued to move down the field to make the attempt from Cash Jackson a chip shot.
“Any time you get into the playoffs, you have a chance to go win a ring,” Nicholson said. “We’re playing our best ball right now. Our record, who cares. We’re going to get in, we’re going to keep fighting and try to put a ring on our fingers in a few weeks.”
Magnolia Heights 23, Starkville Academy 21
Magnolia Heights 0 7 7 9 — 23
Starkville Academy 3 7 3 8 — 21
First quarter
SA — Nathan Miller 30 field goal, clock 1:49
Second quarter
MH — Brayden Burford 71 pass from Cole Prosek (Cash Jackson kick), clock 6:38
SA — Miller Shy 9 run (Miller kick), clock 0:59
Third quarter
SA — Miller 38 field goal, clock 5:08
MH — Burford 8 pass from Prosek (Jackson kick), clock 1:10
Fourth quarter
SA — Luke Johnson 17 run (Luke McKenzie run), clock 4:58
MH — Trace Hartzog 28 pass from Prosek (pass failed), clock 1:04
MH — Jackson 20 field goal, clock 0:03
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 34 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 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
