Tupelo Remains Undefeated with a Thrilling Win Against Starkville
STARKVILLE — The excitement was palpable as fans filled the stands for the nail-biting match between the Tupelo Golden Wave and the Starkville Yellow Jackets. With the playoffs just around the corner, both teams were looking to solidify their positions, and Tupelo managed to hold on to their unbeaten streak with a hard-fought victory.
The game kicked off with Tupelo deferring the coin toss, handing possession to Starkville first. A muffed kickoff by Starkville presented them a challenge, but they managed to recover the ball. Unfortunately for them, their offensive drive was short-lived as Tupelo’s defensive ace, Iverson McCoy, intercepted a pass thrown by Jaylen Ruffin at the 35-yard line. This pivotal moment heralded a shift in momentum as Tupelo prepared to strike back.
Although running back Jaeden Hill, who’s committed to Mississippi State, looked like he was on his way to a spectacular 66-yard touchdown run, it was called back due to an illegal block. Nevertheless, Starkville’s defense held their ground after regaining possession through another interception, keeping the scoreboard locked at zero as they entered the second quarter.
A Clash of Titans
The second quarter saw Tupelo break the stalemate when quarterback Noah Gillon orchestrated a meticulous drive, allowing Hill to break through for a strong 3-yard touchdown run, putting Tupelo on the board at 7-0. However, Starkville wasn’t ready to go down without a fight. A thrilling 50-yard kickoff return reignited their offense, and running back Abrayln Jenkins capitalized on the momentum with a 27-yard rushing touchdown. Tyson Knox bulldozed his way through for a successful two-point conversion, flipping the score to 8-7 in Starkville’s favor late in the half.
As the second half commenced, Tupelo surged back into action. Hill showcased his incredible ability, breaking through Starkville’s defense for a dominating long touchdown run, followed by a successful two-point conversion, reinstating Tupelo’s lead at 15-8. Starkville struggled to regain their footing, and their next drive was marred by penalties and a vicious sack, ultimately forcing a punt.
Tupelo Takes Command
Then Tupelo struck again, with Hill displaying his receiving skills this time, catching a pass for another touchdown, taking the lead to 22-8. Starkville’s resilience shined as they fought their way into Tupelo’s territory, but disaster struck when Ruffin’s desperate pass was intercepted by JD Wise, keeping the Yellow Jackets at bay.
As the third quarter wound down, Tupelo worked the clock masterfully, limiting Starkville’s chances for a comeback. Early in the fourth quarter, Starkville faced a tense fourth down but was unable to complete a pass, handing the ball back to Tupelo at the 30-yard line. Gillon quickly went to work, connecting with his receivers before setting up Braylon Matthews for a quick jet-sweep touchdown, extending their lead to 29-8 with just under seven minutes left on the clock.
A Late Attempt by Starkville
Though Starkville managed to score one last time with a pass to A’Ravion Moore-Gladney, their two-point conversion attempt fell flat, sealing the fate at 29-14. With time running out, Tupelo recovered an onside kick, effectively ending Starkville’s hopes for a last-minute rally.
In the aftermath of a thrilling battle, Starkville’s head coach Chris Jones praised his team’s heart and determination, stating, “The kids played hard. It’s not the result that we wanted, but at the end of the day we are in the playoffs. We have to fix our focus on the future.” With several penalties hampering Starkville’s performance, Coach Jones knows they’ll need to sharpen their focus as they prepare for the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Tupelo basks in the glory of their hard-fought victory as they finish the regular season undefeated, now eyeing a potential state title. Starkville, though falling short, heads into the postseason with valuable experience that could serve them well as they take on Horn Lake next Friday.
