With Starkville Academy’s veer option attack up next for the Pioneers, Parklane Academy coach Bo Milton said his club can’t afford to miss any assignments when the two schools meet on Friday in Starkville at 7 p.m.
Parklane enters the district match 5-2 overall and 1-1 after a 44-0 victory last week over Hillcrest. Starkville is ranked No. 5 in the Associated Press Mississippi Private Schools prep poll. The Volunteers defeated Copiah Academy 34-26 last week. The Vols are 6-1 overall and 2-0 in district play.
“If you don’t cover your assignment on defense, (Starkville) will hit a big play on you,” Milton said. “Their quarterback is an excellent ball handler. There are a lot of good things I see about him.”
Junior Drew Pellum quarterbacks the Volunteers. He is surrounded by senior fullback Ryan Mann, along with wingbacks in senior James Mapp and junior Colby Runnels. Split ends are sophomore Kirby Cox and junior Brandon Sharp.
“Runnels is probably the best running back, but Mann carries the ball more,” Milton said. “They try and move him around to get the ball to him. Runnels and Mann have had some big games running the option. We’ve got to stop those guys. We can’t worry about where the ball is, but handle your assignment and tackle your guy.”
Defensively, Milton said the Vols are physical and don’t allow that many points. Despite losing, Copiah scored the most of any team against Starkville. Jackson Prep defeated Starkville 23-0.
“They don’t give up the big play defensively,” Milton said. “They are very fundamentally sound defensively. Our offense will be challenged. We’ve challenged our guys to play their best ball game this week.”
The Pioneers counter offensively with junior quarterback Zach Stutzman, along with running backs Joseph Clark and Dan Gill and bullish fullbacks Justin Holmes, Seth Travis and Taylor Burt. Holmes and Burt both scored two touchdowns last week, while Travis scored one. Stutzman also passed 26 yards to Taylor Smith for a score. Clark’s 102 yards in rushing led the Pioneers against Hillcrest.
“This game is huge for us. We can’t afford another loss,” Milton said. “We hope to get it rolling over the next couple of weeks. A nice little winning streak right here would be great.”
