Jackets set for next challenge against undefeated Arrows

It was survive and advance mode for the Starkville Yellow Jackets on the soccer pitch Saturday afternoon.

After getting two red cards during the Class 6A second round match against Madison

Central, the Jackets knew they were going to be shorthanded a bit for the third-round meeting against Hernando.

Starkville was ale to get one of the red cards reverse so it was only missing one player. Still the Jackets had to go on the road and dig deep against Hernando.

Grit and determination was the ingredients of the day as SHS defeated Hernando 2-1 to reach the North State championship match. The Jackets will make the trip to Clinton tonight for a 5 p.m. match.

With all of the adversity thrown at SHS, head coach Evinn Watson was proud of what his team was able to accomplish.

“It was good to see those guys go out, fight and see another day,” Watson said. “We were able to get the other player back and he'll be able to play for us (tonight). It was a great job, especially having to wake up early, making a two-hour drive and that's not usually what high school boys want to do on their Saturday. It was good for them to pull out the W.”

The Jackets take a 15-4 record into the match against the undefeated Arrows. The two teams met in a jamboree match at Lewisburg earlier this year so Watson knows what to expect.

“They are one of the better teams in the state if not the best team in the state,” Watson said. “We are going to need everybody and going to need every little bit of energy, passion and hard work out of each and every player.”