The First Look: 2022 6A Title Championship Game

<p>It is time for the moment we have all been waiting for all season long - state championship week. In 6A, Starkville will take on Brandon at 7 PM in Hattiesburg this Saturday, a game that a lot of folks did not see coming around midseason this year. This two teams matchup well with one another and ought to give us one of the best 6A title games in a while. Today, we will break down some key information to know about both squads prior to game day.</p>   <h2>#4 Starkville Yellow Jackets (11-3)</h2>   <p>8/26 - Columbus (W) 28-0</p>   <p>9/2 - West Point (W) 44-13</p>   <p>9/9 - Olive Branch (W) 42-10</p>   <p>9/16 - Louisville (W) 21-20</p>   <p>9/23 - Madison Central (L) 21-41</p>   <p>9/30 - Clinton (L) 28-35</p>   <p>10/7 - Tupelo (L) 17-24</p>   <p>10/13 - Murrah (W) 49-13</p>   <p>10/28 - Germantown (W) 46-14</p>   <p>11/3 - Grenada (W) 21-20</p>   <p>11/11 (Playoff R1) - Southaven (W) 38-12</p>   <p>11/18 (Playoff R2) - Clinton (W) 30-2</p>   <p>11/25 (Playoff R3) - Tupelo (W) 41-32</p>   <h2>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: 6-5 (1st Appearance Since 2015)</h2>   <p>Historically speaking, Starkville has a winning tradition and has kept that alive over the last decade. Last winning a title in 2015, Starkville has been a deep post season team for the past few years, but has run into some tough match ups. Head coach Chris Jones has been one of the best in the business across the state of Mississippi, winning a title at Kemper County before landing the Starkville High School job. On paper, this looks to be his most talented squad since he got to the school. The Yellow Jackets have been dominant in the playoffs this year, defeating both undefeated Southaven and Tupelo on their way to the championship game. Could this be the year that Starkville closes out the season on top of the entire state?</p>   <h2>OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION: Regular Season - 36.4 PPG; Playoffs - 36.3 PPG</h2>   <p>While Starkville had some high offensive outputs during the regular season, this is a team that is figuring things out at the right time. Averaging 36 points per game in the playoffs, the Yellow Jackets have scored 38 on a Southaven defense that was one of the state's best, 30 on a stout Clinton team they lost to earlier in the season, and a shocking 41 on an undefeated Tupelo squad that no other team had scored more than 17 on all season long. While it is a team first game, quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='273258' first='Trey' last='Petty'] has been playing at an ELITE level during the post season, giving Starkville a huge and much needed spark to dominate competition this far.</p>   <h2>DEFENSIVE PRODUCTION: Regular Season - 21.2 PA/G ; Playoffs - 14.6 PA/G</h2>   <p>Known for their offensive firepower over the last few seasons, the Starkville defense has come to play this year. After their 3 game losing streak to Madison Central, Clinton, and Tupelo, the Yellow Jackets turned the corner and did not allow over 28 points per game in any remaining games outside of the Little Egg Bowl. In the playoffs, Starkville has pitched a shut out against Clinton, held Southaven to under 14, and contained a dominant Tupelo offense that has been lighting up scoreboards. The front seven was a bit of a weakness early on for Starkville, but that front has turned things around in a big way with the play of defensive linemen [player_tooltip player_id='106317' first='Eric' last='Thomas Jr'] and <strong>Tony Lucious.</strong> </p>   <h2>NOTABLE</h2>   <p>Starkville played in one of the toughest districts with one of the toughest out of conference schedules this season. Beating West Point and Louisville are now huge wins for the Yellow Jackets, as West Point will be playing in the 5A title game and Louisville will be playing in the 4A title game. Starkville went on a 3 game losing streak that affected their playoff position, but came out on top of the district with big wins over undefeated Southaven and undefeated Tupelo, the favorite to win 6A this year. With the offensive play reaching new highs in the post season and the defense playing lights out the last few games, the Yellow Jackets belong in this game this week. All signs are pointing towards this Starkville team being a great story that will be remembered in Mississippi high school sports for long to come.</p>   <h2>#1 Brandon Bulldogs (12-1)</h2>   <p>8/26 - Oxford (W) 45-14</p>   <p>9/2 - Madison Central (W) 28-7</p>   <p>9/9 - Clinton (W) 42-35</p>   <p>9/23 - Terry (W) 41-13</p>   <p>9/30 - Warren Central (W) 21-3</p>   <p>10/7 - Petal (W) 32-7</p>   <p>10/14 - Meridian (W) 48-15</p>   <p>10/21 - Oak Grove (L) 20-25</p>   <p>10/28 - Northwest Rankin (W) 36-28</p>   <p>11/3 - Pearl (W) 49-35</p>   <p>11/11 (Playoffs R1) - Hancock (W) 42-7</p>   <p>11/18 (Playoffs R2) - Warren Central (W) 36-28</p>   <p>11/25 (Playoffs R3) - Ocean Springs (W) 34-31</p>   <h2>CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: 0-2 (Lost 24-17 in 2021)</h2>   <p>Only competing in the state title game twice in their history, Brandon has been one of the state's winningest programs still looking for their first trophy. In a heartbreaker last season against Madison Central, Brandon lost the state championship game, but established that they were a legit contender for years to come. This game will mark the third time that the Bulldogs have played in the finals since 2012. Over the last two seasons, Brandon has won over 23 games. Could this be the year that the Bulldogs win their 24th game in a two year span and their first state championship in school history? They certainly have the talent across the board to.</p>   <h2>OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION: Regular Season - 36.2 PPG; Playoffs - 37.3 PPG</h2>   <p>Most high school offenses have a weak link or two. Not Brandon this year. With a special playmaker at all the skill positions and a big and physical offensive line up front, the Bulldogs averaged over 36 points per game in the regular season and have put up close to 37 points per game in the post season. On paper, this is one of the best offensive units in the entire state. Quarterback play from [player_tooltip player_id='273250' first='Landon' last='Varnes'] with wide receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='107036' first='Lester' last='Miller'] make the passing game absolutely lethal. A running back duo in [player_tooltip player_id='108964' first='Jarvis' last='Durr'] and [player_tooltip player_id='273259' first='Nate' last='Blount IV'] means you have to account for the run game too. You just can't win against this team. This is the type of offense that keeps opposing defensive coordinators awake at night. Starkville ought to have their hands full with this bunch.</p>   <h2>DEFENSIVE PRODUCTION: Regular Season - 18.2 PA/G; Playoffs - 22.0 PA/G</h2>   <p>As effective as the offense has been, Brandon's defense has done a good job at bending and not breaking throughout the season. This is an offense that scores a lot, which puts pressure on the defense and can wear these guys down after a few quarters. Brandon played good defense throughout the regular season, but did have some issues with Pearl, Northwest Rankin, and Clinton, allowing over 28 points in each match. In the playoffs, Brandon held Hancock to 7, contained Warren Central, and held Ocean Springs and their explosive offense when it mattered most. Paired with this offense, the defense is established enough to win a state championship this season.</p>   <h2>Notable</h2>   <p>With only one loss to Oak Grove this season, Brandon has paved their way to this game through several tough matchups. Out of conference, this was a team that dominated Madison Central, Oxford, and beat a good Clinton team. All these teams outside of Oxford were playoff contenders this post season. After the huge win over Ocean Springs in the semifinal game, the Bulldogs have solidified their place as one of Mississippi's best teams top to bottom. The talent is there, the coaching is there, and the wins are there - will this year be Brandon's first title win ever? The matchup with Starkville is one of the best in recent memory, and the Bulldogs have every opportunity to make this game theirs.</p>   <p></p>   <p></p>   <p>Stay tuned for our "Players to Watch" piece this week that will feature all the names to keep an eye on for the games this weekend!</p>

It is time for the moment we have all been waiting for all season long - state championship week. In 6A, Starkville will take on Brandon at 7 PM in Hattiesburg this Saturday, a game that a lot of folks did not see coming around midseason this year. This two teams matchup well with one another and ought to give us one of the best 6A title games in a while. Today, we will break down some key information to know about both squads prior to game day.