STARKVILLE — Last Friday, Starkville made a statement against Madison Central.
In a must-win game, the Yellow Jackets dominated in all phases against the Jaguars, winning 39-7 to set up a district title matchup all-too-familiar to this program.
Under the bright lights and on the blue turf of Renasant Field in Tupelo, Starkville and the Golden Wave will face off for the 48th time – this time with the 7A Region 2 title on the line.
While this game might not carry the same level of importance as last season’s MHSAA Class 6A semifinal, the end result could very well dictate who will head to Oxford later this month.
“That was a big win against Madison Central,” Starkville head coach Chris Jones said. “My kids, they found success, and winning breeds confidence. Hopefully, we got some confidence coming out of a big game going into another big game, just trying to do whatever it takes to win.”
Starkville (7-2, 2-1 in district) showed a side of itself last week that much of the state hadn’t quite seen this season.
While the Jackets’ offensive performance was worth noting, scoring more than 35 points for the sixth time this season, the defense was on full display, holding a potent Jags offense under double-digit points for the first time all season.
Football games are won on both sides of the ball, and that was true in last year’s semifinal, where a late interception deep in its own territory sealed Tupelo’s fate as Starkville went on to win a seventh state title in school history.
“It’s going to be instrumental going forward to our success as far as winning games in the playoffs,” Jones said. “You have to be able to win defensively to win championships.”
Tupelo (7-2, 2-1 in district) is a program that prides itself on defense, allowing 12.9 points per game so far to opponents.
The Blue Wave boast one of the best defenses in the state, the perfect challenge for one of the best offenses in the state in Starkville.
That Starkville offense comes into Thursday’s game averaging 40.6 points per game, and in a battle of strength-versus-strength, the most well-rounded team on the night will come out victorious.
“When we’re doing well in all phases, that just makes us a complete team and gives us a better chance to win,” Jones said. “We need to make sure we’re playing well in all three phases. We have to be disciplined, play a good style of football and make tackles.”
While a district title, playoff seeding and bragging rights are all on the line Thursday night, the most important takeaway might be the momentum the winning team will gain heading into the postseason..
“There’s a lot at stake,” Jones said. “We could win the district, we could host at home throughout the playoffs. I think the kids are naturally motivated for those reasons, but we have come out and play good ball against a good opponent. … I think they’re up for the challenge.”
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