Against Louisville, Starkville needed to make a statement.
It needed to prove that not only could its offense score against a dogged Wildcat defense, but that its defense, which had given up more than 40 points in each of its first two games of the year, could put the clamps on the offense of another championship-caliber team.
Enter Kaesen McQuiller.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior Yellow Jacket provided the pop of game-changing play from the linebacker position last Friday to help limit the reigning back-to-back 4A state champions to only two touchdowns and produced a score of his own in a 36-16 Starkville win. For his impressive efforts, McQuiller has been named the Dispatch’s Player of the Week.
McQuiller’s impact on the game could be felt each time he lowered his shoulder for 12 total tackles on the night, including one for loss, as he helped anchor a defense that held the Wildcats to their fewest points since a season-opening 9-7 loss to West Point. But his biggest play came midway through the second quarter.
Louisville quarterback Triston Edwards threw a pass to running back Zaiden Jernigan and he was immediately met in the backfield by Graham Hancock, who knocked the ball free during his tackle. McQuiller scooped the ball up and ran 23 yards into the end zone for Starkville’s second defensive score of the season. The heads-up play gave his team a comfortable 29-8 lead the Wildcats could not overcome. Head coach John Carr said McQuiller’s fumble return provided a “big momentum shift” within the game and stems from his new knack of always being around the ball.
“He’s (a player) who really has improved as the year has gone on,” Carr said. “Each week he’s getting better and better and he’s more and more comfortable in what we’re doing. He’s playing more and more physically and he’s flying around more. The more and more active you are on defense, the better chance of you being around the ball. He was in a great spot (Friday night). Graham Hancock came up and put his head right on the football and created a turnover, and Kaesen hustled to the ball and was in great position to pick it up and go scoop and score. … He’s just becoming more and more active and instinctive and playing and having fun, and it’s good to see those guys rallying around what’s gone on the last couple of weeks.”
After allowing opponents to score a total of 102 points through the first two games of the season, Starkville (3-1) has limited its foes to just 22 points in its last two games. It’s a defensive resurgence Carr believes bodes well for the Jackets this season, especially if McQuiller keeps making plays.
“I think he’s a side-to-side explosive linebacker who when he makes his mind to go, he’s not scared to pull the trigger, and he’s gotten better the last couple of weeks,” Carr said. “I think he was a little gun-shy the first couple of weeks with that, I think he was a little unsure, but over the last couple of weeks he’s really feeling a lot more comfortable where he’s at, sees things and triggers. We’re at our best on defense when he does that.”
Honorable mentions
Jamarious Little had two interceptions, one pass deflection and six tackles during Noxubee County’s 28-6 win over Shannon, and quarterback Jykeim Goodwin ran for 100 yards on 14 scrambles and threw for 108 yards and two scores on 8-of-11 passing. Columbus Christian Academy quarterback Matthew Benge used 16 carries to create 200 rushing yards and four touchdowns, was 8-for-12 passing with one touchdown and posted four tackles on defense. Oak Hill running back Boston Cunningham rumbled for 213 yards on 26 carries for the Raiders during their 39-24 loss to Rossville. Starkville defensive lineman Tylan Paty led the team with 13 tackles last Friday, and Hancock produced seven stops, three solo and four for a loss of 22 yards, to go along with a sack and a forced fumble.
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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 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
