This week’s contest against Starkville High School may be a rivalry game, but for West Point football coach Chris Chambless, it’s business as usual.
“We go into every day at practice to get better than we were the day before,” Chambless said. “Don’t ever take steps backwards, get every game and learn from mistakes, build from the positives and move forward throughout the season.”
Following last week’s 38-28 loss to Louisville, West Point marches into its annual clash with Chris Jones’ Yellow Jacket squad at 1-1.
Guided by a three-headed rushing attack, it’s been the ground game that comprised 534 of the team’s 769 yards of offense in two games this season.
Anchored by quarterback Brandon Harris — the senior has already totaled 227 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Classmates Dantariyus Cannon and Jimothy Mays have added another 243 yards and a touchdown rushing.
“They’re going to grind hard every day and you know it’s going to carry over into Friday nights,” Chambless said of the trio. “They’re going to be there every day with their hardhats on ready to work.”
Entering Week Two, Starkville presents an aerial threat the Green Wave has yet to see this season.
Yellow Jackets junior quarterback Luke Altmyer is among the best in the state at his position — having notched 509 yards, four touchdowns and just two interceptions on 44-of-64 passing in against Oxford and Brandon.
Alongside Altmyer, senior receivers Joshua Aka, Rufus Harvey and Orien Thompson comprise a senior-laden group that is dangerous inside and out.
Defensively, Chambless’ group has been relatively stout against the run — allowing just 93 yards last week against Louisville — while the passing game has given them fits.
Last week against Louisville, Wildcats quarterback Bryandrea Shumaker thrashed the West Point secondary for 341 yards and four touchdowns on 19-of-26 passing.
“We did a pretty good job of stopping the run but did let a few deep balls get by us,” Chambless said of his defensive backfield. “And that’s something going in we knew we had to work on and we’re going to continue working on those things.”
Keenly aware of Starkville’s vertical passing propensity, Chambless said his defensive backs have prepped for Starkville’s vaunted aerial assault, while controlling what they can control heading into the rivalry game.
“We’re working to get better,” Chambless said. “We just continue to work hard and get all the experience we can.”
Ben Portnoy reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @bportnoy15.
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