HSFT Stop #24: Starkville Academy Making Strides in 2024 Season

Starkville, Miss. – Starkville Academy Football

Starkville, Miss. – Starkville Academy football is creating ripples across local circles, coming off from a sensational 9-3 season, culminating in the third round of playoffs. Head coach Chase Nicholson expressed immense pride in their performance and team spirit. The team came together, setting aside their individual differences and talent, securing a district championship.

“They know what it takes to win,” Nicholson said. “I think that’s always the fun part about a football team. You look at the past successes and failures of the team before to draw lessons about what to do and what not to do.”

Volunteers are Replacing Seniors – Not Rebuilding

As the Volunteers (as the Starkville Academy’s team is known) assemble this year’s swing armory, Nicholson emphasized it is a replacement process for graduating seniors and not a wholesale rebuild. “Every year, you lose great players,” Nicholson said. “We always talk about it. We don’t rebuild around here. We refuse to do that.”

The team has lost several of their three-year starters. However, rising talents like senior quarterback Luke McKenzie are prepared to step up and shoulder the leadership roles. McKenzie will be donning the starter’s jersey after serving as the backup the previous season.

“I’m very excited. I’ve been playing quarterback my whole life,” said a beaming McKenzie. “These past two years, I’ve really had to embrace not playing as much as my 10th-grade year.”

Team’s Objective for the Season

This group of seniors’ cherishes the ambition of guiding the Volunteers to the state championship once again. “This team can go as far as they truly want to, as far as they want to,” said Coach Nicholson. He added, “Will they get it done? We’ll see, that’s what we play the game for. That’s what we play each week for.”

Starkville Academy is beginning its season against Lamar on August 30. While the excitement ensues, it remains to be seen how the Volunteers perform in this season. Their spirit, commitment and resolve present a promising picture for the upcoming season.