Despite new faces all over the roster, Starkville is off to a flying start this fall.
The Yellow Jackets, MHSAA Class 7A runners-up a year ago, have defeated a pair of Golden Triangle rivals in Noxubee County and West Point, both of whom also played for state championships last season. Starkville (2-0) is at home for the second straight week Friday night, this time facing Class 7A foe Meridian, a program that last had a winning season in 2016.
“We’ve played two tough opponents,” Yellow Jackets head coach Chris Jones said. “But you can’t overlook the mistakes we’ve had, so that’s what we’re trying to do, just making sure we correct all our mistakes. I’m proud of the guys for the games they have won. Against West Point, we were down, we came back and we made a lot of plays. That’s always great when you’re playing somebody of their caliber.”
The Wildcats (1-1) lost 22-6 at home against Quitman in their season opener but bounced back last week with a 26-6 road win over Biloxi. Shelton Gandy is Meridian’s first-year head coach, and he previously led Wayne County to a combined 16-9 record in 2018 and 2019. Last year, the Wildcats finished 6-7 and made it to the second round of the state playoffs before losing to eventual champion Oak Grove.
“(Meridian) was a place with a great winning tradition,” Jones said. “They’ve just kind of been down lately, but over the years, they were one of the powerhouses in the state of Mississippi, so we can’t take them for granted. Just because they have a new staff and are trying to figure out their identity doesn’t mean they don’t have a chance to be a good football team.”
Starkville senior Jaylen Ruffin, taking over at quarterback for Trey Petty, is 20-for-36 passing through two games for 290 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. But the Yellow Jackets’ offense has flowed through running back Abrayln Jenkins, who has 254 rushing yards on 40 carries and four touchdowns. Davarrius Hairston and Jaheim Deans are Ruffin’s top receiving targets, with 213 yards between them.
Hairston, a two-way standout, also sealed last week’s win over West Point with a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown. Linebacker Zyahn Bradley has a pair of sacks on the young season and is the Yellow Jackets’ leading tackler, with Shiloh Johnson-Hewitt also a menace in the pass rush. Donnelvin Jordan and Tyson Knox solidify an excellent secondary, and Zachariah Hill complements Bradley at linebacker.
“I will always tell my kids, we have to treat (every opponent) like they’re the New England Patriots and they got Tom Brady at quarterback,” Jones said. “We want to make sure to bring our A-game and be prepared for whatever, and at the end of the day, just compete. Just doing the little things, blocking and tackling and getting lined up, running to the ball, making plays that you’re supposed to make.”
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