TUPELO – Despite a scare in the second half, Tupelo’s state title hopes – and undefeated season – are still alive.
The Golden Wave stopped a two-point conversion with under five-and-a-half minutes to go to hold on for a 35-34 win over Starkville at home Friday night. Tupelo heads to the North half title game next week to face Madison Central.
“It felt like we’re falling off a cliff right there at one point,” Tupelo head coach Ty Hardin said. “Up (15) points in the fourth quarter, momentum was not going our way, we shot ourselves in the foot, terrible penalties the whole game. Just fortunate enough to walk away with a W.”
Tupelo (12-0) led 14-6 at halftime, but defense was optional in the second half. The two teams combined for 35 points in the third quarter. Tupelo quarterback Noah Gillon hit Braylon Matthews on a quick pass for a 35-yard touchdown on Tupelo’s first drive of the second half, and Hill ran for two more scores.
However, Starkville (7-5) answered with a touchdown each time. Starkville quarterback Jaylon Ruffin ran for a 67-yard touchdown and later threw for another score that helped trim the Tupelo lead to 35-28 early in the fourth quarter. After a Tupelo punt, Ruffin ran in another touchdown to make it 35-34, but the Yellow Jackets couldn’t score on their two-point conversion attempt.
Tupelo got the ball back and turned to J.J. Hill. Hill was a workhorse all night, but Tupelo fed him the ball on its final possession over and over to bleed the clock. Hill finished the night with 216 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries.
“I’m going to hold onto the ball,” Hill said. “Coach told us what we were going to do, I was just worried about holding onto the ball.”
Starkville didn’t have an answer for it, and Tupelo held on for the win.
“Proud of my guys, though, this was a close one,” Starkville head coach Chris Jones said. “They fought, they competed to the end and they battled like real champions do. Just came up a point short against a good team, but I couldn’t ask for more as a coach.”
Extra Points
Turning Point: Tupelo received the ball up 35-34 with over five minutes to go and ran out the clock to hold on for the win.
Point Man: Hill ran for 216 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries.
Talking Point: “When in doubt, give it to (number) zero. … Everybody knows what we’re probably going to do, we’ve got answers for it, and that’s what we’ve got to do.” – Hardin on Hill
Notes
■ Starkville turned it over twice deep in Tupelo territory in the first half
■ Both teams committed more than 100 yards in penalties.
■ Ruffin threw for 183 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while running for 171 yards and two scores.
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