Starkville Stays Unbeaten with Hard-Fought Win Over Meridian
STARKVILLE — Friday night was a rollercoaster of emotions as Starkville showcased their gridiron prowess against Meridian, celebrating a solid 28-15 victory that kept their record flawless at 3-0. But not everyone was feeling triumphant; Starkville’s head coach had some mixed feelings about his team’s performance.
“A win is a win,” he remarked, but he was quick to add that he expected a lot more from his squad. “I thought we played sloppy, just being honest. We didn’t play well. We have to get better, a lot better.”
First Half Highlights
The game’s intensity kicked off in the first quarter, albeit not without its hiccups. Starkville’s initial drive wound up being less than impressive as running back Abrayln Jenkins faced setbacks, losing a total of 15 yards. This forced the Yellow Jackets to resort to punting early on. However, that would soon change when senior quarterback Jaylen Ruffin showcased his playmaking skills.
After a rocky start, Ruffin found his stride connecting with Davarrious Hairiston on a stunning 59-yard touchdown pass. The crowd erupted as Hairiston sprinted down the field, catching the ball perfectly placed over two defenders. “He put it right where I wanted it,” Hairiston said, smiling. “We work on it every day in practice. I love my quarterback.”
With momentum building, things took a favorable turn when the Yellow Jackets capitalized on a muffed punt by the Wildcats, recovering the ball at Meridian’s 28-yard line. Ruffin struck again, this time hitting A’Ravion Moore-Gladney in the end zone for a second touchdown, extending Starkville’s lead to 14-0.
Just before halftime, Ruffin’s stellar performance continued. On a pivotal third-and-14 from their own 36-yard line, he launched a deep ball to Jenkins for a 49-yard gain, setting up another touchdown connection with Hairiston, who snagged his second of the night. The Yellow Jackets closed out the half ahead by 21-0, which was a giant boost for their confidence.
Second Half Resurgence
As the second half kicked off, Meridian showed they weren’t ready to roll over. They charged down the field and scored on a well-executed quarterback keeper by Corey McCann. Suddenly, the Wildcats were back in the game with a score of 21-7.
However, the tides shifted quickly when Ruffin threw an interception, gifting Meridian prime scoring territory. But an impressive defensive effort saw Starkville hold the Wildcats on a crucial fourth-and-goal situation, stopping Jayden Johnson just inches from the end zone.
Taking advantage of the mental shift, Starkville drove an incredible 99 yards downfield, thanks in large part to a stunning 25-yard run by Jenkins and crucial completions from Ruffin to Isaiah Witherspoon. Jenkins capped off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Yellow Jackets a comfortable 28-7 lead.
The Final Touches
Meridian’s response included a late-game touchdown from McCann to Jaquan Grant, but the Wildcats never found a foothold again, leaving Starkville with a significant advantage. As the clock wound down, they couldn’t recover the ensuing onside kick, sealing their fate.
Looking ahead, Starkville’s next challenge awaits as they gear up for a showdown against Louisville next week. Both teams are undefeated, and with Louisville boasting a 29-game winning streak — the longest in the state — it’s bound to be an electrifying match. Last season, Starkville narrowly edged out Louisville in a thrilling 21-20 game, so anticipation is running high.
Coach’s Final Words
Reflecting on the game, Coach continued, “The defense played well at times. Offensively, we didn’t play well. At the end of the day, we must improve, and it has to happen fast.”
