Freshmen Jackets top Falcons at home
It was last Friday night when the varsity Starkville High Yellowjackets put on an offensive showcase in routing Columbus 44-7.
On Thursday, the ninth grade Jackets also put away the Falcons, but did so in a different way.
Starkville used a smothering defensive effort to defeat Columbus 16-6. The only points the Jackets allowed came on a kickoff return touchdown by the Falcons.
“Our defense does a really good job lining up and playing the assignments that we ask of them, and they do a really good job of flying to the football,” Starkville head coach Kevie Thompson said. “They did a good job (Thursday).”
Keyshaun Lawerence led the way for Starkville. The young linebacker set the tone early with a tackle for loss on the very first play from scrimmage in the game, then, in the third quarter, he broke a scoreless tie with a 30yard interception return for a touchdown before running in the two-point conversion try. Just like that, Starkville led 8-0.
“He's just one of those guys that has what you like to have,” Thompson said of Lawerence. “He has that ‘it' factor. He's really instinctive. (The interception was) one of those plays we talked before we went out there and told him, 'Step up and make a play. Be a playmaker.' Coincidentally, he went out there and made the play.”
Lawerence's big pick-six also sparked Starkville's offense. Though Columbus returned the ensuing kickoff after Lawerence's score for a touchdown, the Jackets answered right back.
After Starkville stuffed Columbus' two-point attempt, the Jackets cemented the win on a 59-yard touchdown pass from Nyjal Johnson to Amarion Howard. Lawerence again rushed for the two-point conversion.
The score held from there and Starkville improved to 3-1 for the season.
It was a good night for the Jackets. Thompson said his team has to keep getting better though and can't afford to settle.
“We have a lot of improving that we need to do in some areas, but overall, we're getting better,” Thompson said.
Eighth Grade Columbus 28, Starkville 6
Earlier on Thursday, in eighth grade action, Columbus had its way with Starkville.
Starkville eighth grade coach Steve Denson gave credit to a stacked Columbus roster, particularly its talented running back.
“He is some kind of good player,” Denson said. “I believe he is (Mississippi State running back) Kylin Hill's cousin and I can believe it. He was tough to stop. They did a really good job. I thought our kids fought hard, but were just a little out-matched.”
Starkville fell to 1-3 for the season. Despite the slow start to the year, Denson is optimistic better days are ahead for his group of Jackets.
“Our players have been playing really hard,” Denson said. “We've had some hard-luck things and some turnovers that have hurt us really bad. Hopefully, we'll get that corrected and straightened out down the road.”