Starkville Daily News

MSU showing no fear ahead of the LSU game

- Robbie By JOEL COLEMAN sports@starkville­dailynews.com

Several months ago, when schedules were announced for the season, I immediatel­y circled September 8 on my calendar. That's when the

Starkville Academy

Volunteers and East

Webster Wolverines were set to play their first football game against each other in school history. It was a game long overdue, but perfectly applicable for the two programs.

As myself and several coaches and administra­tors from the schools have agreed over the last few months, both schools already matchup in other sports like basketball and baseball to much success. With the proximity of the schools as well as the passion and ability to pack the stands, it's a no-brainer.

“It's something we should have been doing," Starkville Academy football coach Chase Nicholson said. "The kids have been knowing each other so it could be a great rivalry. It was a lot of fun for everyone involved. There was a winner and a loser, but it was a fun football game.”

Fun it was.

The two teams didn't disappoint on this beautiful evening in central Mississipp­i. There was intensity on both sides of the football and it was a back and forth affair by two teams that are off to great starts. There wasn't anything decided in the game and neither team will get any closer to the playoffs or a championsh­ip with a win, but East Webster coach Ron Price felt his team got better.

“I think this is a great opportunit­y to start a great rivalry,” Price said. “To be able to travel 20 minutes and

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Call it bold. Call it confident. Call it stupid. Call it whatever you like.

Whatever you call it, know this – after a 2-0 start to the season, Mississipp­i State is staring down the barrel at LSU this week and despite the traditiona­l power of the Tigers, the Bulldogs remain unmoved and unafraid of Saturday's 6 p.m. game at Davis Wade Stadium.

“We're a very talented team and I believe we can beat anybody that we line up across from,” Mississipp­i State quarterbac­k Nick Fitzgerald said. “There is no intimidati­on. There is no fear. There is no reservatio­n. We're going to focus on ourselves, we're going to play our ball and we're going to do what we need to do no matter who lines up across from us.”

The Bulldogs have ample reason to believe in themselves.

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 ?? (Photo by Hannah Baldwin, Monroe News Star, AP) ?? Mississipp­i State tight end Jordan Thomas (83) looks to avoid the tackle of Louisiana Tech defensive back Amik Robertson on Saturday night.
(Photo by Hannah Baldwin, Monroe News Star, AP) Mississipp­i State tight end Jordan Thomas (83) looks to avoid the tackle of Louisiana Tech defensive back Amik Robertson on Saturday night.
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