STARKVILLE — For Starkville High School, the road to a seventh state championship begins in Brandon.
Just two years removed from an appearance in the Mississippi High School Activities Association 6A state title game, the Yellow Jackets open the 2019 season 7 p.m. Friday night at Brandon High School.
“They’ve got a really good football team,” Starkville coach Chris Jones said. “They’re well coached. They’ve got players on both sides of the ball we’ll have to keep an eye on and contained.”
Anchored by junior quarterback Luke Altmyer, the Starkville offense looks to return to its prolific roots from last season. Altmyer, a three-star recruit who already boasts offers from LSU and Mississippi State, finished last season with 1,952 yards and 19 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
Senior receiver Rufus Harvey should aid Altmyer on the offensive side of the ball Friday. The team’s leading receiver a year ago, Harvey is among four senior receivers returning that are set to begin their final high school season this weekend.
“Offensively we want to take care of the football,” Jones said. “We can’t have a whole bunch of turnovers. They’re not going to beat themselves.”
For Starkville, this week also marks the first look at a retooled defense. Senior defensive lineman Jaylan Ware will open his campaign after totaling 73 tackles, six sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2018.
Sticking on defense, senior Noxubee County transfer Tyrese Hopkins will don the yellow and black for the first time Friday. A three-star recruit, Hopkins should bolster the Starkville linebacking corps this season.
For Jones, the season opener is a chance to lean on the leadership of his senior class. Starkville’s bench boss mentioned Ware and senior receiver Rufus Harvey as elder statesman he expects to rely on heavily this year.
“We’ve got some kids who have played a lot of football other than those two but those two are the main veteran guys,” Jones said. “We’re going to lean on them a little bit and help show our young guys the way.”
Brandon enters the contest after finishing last year 13-2 record a year ago, falling 21-10 in the 6A State Final against Oak Grove High School.
Senior quarterback and MSU commit Will Rogers finished 2018 with 3,009 yards and 23 touchdowns. Rogers also rushed for 85 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bulldogs do have to replace incumbent starter Dallas Smith, who ran for over 1,600 yards last year. Juniors Zailon Johnson and Josh Sullivan are the team’s leading returning rushers — though neither eclipsed 200 yards as sophomores.
“We’re going to have to play some solid football,” Jones said. “They’re not going to give it to us so we’ve got to come out and play at a high level and compete so we have a chance to win.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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