Teams in MHSAA Class 7A are all jockeying for playoff spots and seeds this week. With just two games left in the regular season, Madison Central has clinched a spot in the postseason and has a chance to keep hopes of a first-round home playoff game alive with a win over Starkville on Friday night. Both the Jaguars and Yellow Jackets come into this one with identical 1-1 region records and a 6-2 overall mark. The winner would have the tiebreaker advantage over the other. Tupelo stands atop the Region 2 standings with a 3-0 record, followed by Starkville, Madison and Clinton all at 1-1, with Germantown 0-3.
“It’s huge for us to hopefully host a playoff game,” said Madison Central Head Coach Toby Collums. “It takes a lot of pressure off. Your kids are more comfortable because they don’t have to travel and get on a bus for a several hours and our crowd is bigger, which can be a difference maker. This week against Starkville will be tough as they are a very, very good team. Next week is tough too as we finish with a talented Clinton team.”
Madison Central is coming off a dramatic win against Germantown 31-28. Sophomore kicker Ross Beavers nailed a 42-yard game winning field goal with just ten seconds left sending Jaguar Nation into a frenzy.
“You’re not going to run across too many sophomores like Ross, nothing fazes him,” said Collums. Germantown called a timeout to try and ice him. He came over to the sidelines and I didn’t say anything to him about the kick. I just took one look at him and he ran out on the field and drilled it. It would have been good from 50. Ross is just a fun kid to have.
Senior running back Glen Singleton was sensational against the Mavericks rushing for 213 yards on 20 carries. He opened the game with a 16-yard touchdown run, threw a three yard “Tim Tebow-esque” touchdown from a wildcat formation, had a 56-yard run and perhaps his biggest was a 58-yard scamper from his own five-yard line late in the fourth quarter to set up the winning field goal. Singleton has rolled up 1,024 yards and 14 touchdowns on 144 carries this season.
“Glen is tremendous. We couldn’t have asked for more consistency than what he’s shown so far. He is a workhorse with two other backs behind him in Mykel Hogue and Mikel Stephen,” said Collums. “We practiced his touchdown pass during the week and the perfect situation presented itself against Germantown. There are always lots of eyes on him to run it, but they were expecting the throw and Micah Jones got in behind them for the score.”
The Jaguars will need another herculean effort this week from Singleton and the rest of the offense against a stout Starkville defense. Senior quarterback Jaiden Johnson has been very efficient to this point by completing 61 percent of his passes for 1,010 yards, seven touchdowns and four interceptions. He’s also proven his mobility with 231 rushing yards. Johnson has a trio of receivers that have shined this season in Micah Jones, Ryan Delaney and Zay Hart.
While Coach Collums knows they have to have a run-pass balance, this team goes as far as the running game will take them.
“We have got to be balanced, but make no bones about it we’re going to run the ball. We will also read what the defense is showing us pre-snap and take what they are giving us, run or pass,” said Collums.
Starkville will have its hands full trying to stop Singleton. The Jackets defense is led by senior defensive end Shiloh Johnson-Hewitt with 41 tackles, seven tackles for loss and two sacks.
“Trust me, we are going to watch where he is at all the time and hopefully get at least two hats on him. He can be a game changer if we let him,” said Collums.
The rest of the defense is fast and aggressive too. Senior linebacker Zachariah Hill is close behind with 38 tackles and four for loss. Senior defensive back Donnelvin Jordan, junior linebacker Kaesen McQuiller, senior linebacker Zyahn Bradley and junior defensive back Tyson Knox are all stout stoppers. Knox and senior linebacker Erion Lanier both come in with two interceptions.
On the offensive side of the ball, Starkville has a one man wrecking crew in senior quarterback Jaylon Ruffin. The 6’1, 200 pound signal caller is a true dual threat. Ruffin has completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,388 yards, 17 touchdowns to just three interceptions. On the ground he’s racked up 721 yards on 82 carries, a nine yards per rush average, and scored eight times. Ruffin will demand the attention of every Jaguar defender.
“He’s a very accurate passer and his pocket presence is off the charts, said Collums. “What’s disheartening is he runs the ball as well. They are a big chore for any defense. We know how talented they are.”
Senior Davarrius Hairston leads a talented group of Yellow Jacket receivers. Hairston has a team best 34 catches for 572 yards and seven touchdowns. Jaheim Deanes can take it to the house from anywhere with 14 catches for 259 yards, including a 96 yarder, and two touchdowns. Not far behind are Isaiah Witherspoon and A’Braylen Jenkins who have accounted for nearly 400 yards and six touchdowns. Madison will also have to contend with two tough running backs in Jenkins and Torian Knox. That duo has combined for 807 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Madison defense certainly has the weapons to swat down the sting of the Yellow Jackets. Avery Jackson has been every offense’s nightmare with a team leading 72 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions. Myles Miller has played lights out with 57 tackles and seven sacks. Korey Robinson and Titus Amos have 90 tackles between them and seven tackles for loss. Marquis Williams is the top defensive back with four interceptions along with Calvion Johnson , Jeffrey Flanagan and Ronderius King.
“Myles has been having a great year and been very disruptive. Avery needs to keep doing what he’s been doing. Damari Kidd is making calls the calls in secondary and Marquis been a starter since the 10th grade and is a team captain,” said Collums.
Friday night marks the first day of November, a month known for giving thanks. Both these teams have put themselves in position to make a run deep in the playoffs, but only one can ensure they play that first postseason game at home. This will be one of the top games in the state this week, with the winner grabbing the inside track to the number two seed in the region.
MADISON CENTRAL'S
KEYS TO VICTORY
On Offense: Be who you are. The running game has gotten you to this point so don’t overthink things. Let the line hit Starkville in the mouth early and clear the way for Singleton.
On Defense: Bend but don’t break. Quarterback Jaylon Ruffin is going to get yards both with his arm and his legs. The key will be keeping them out of the endzone and forcing field goal attempts.
MADISON CENTRAL
AT A GLANCE
Class/Division: 7A Region 2 (MHSAA)
Head Coach: Toby Collums
Assistant Coaches: Jonathan Brooks, Dusty Finley, Jay Livingston, Mike Hendershot, Terrance Robinson, Tate Rogers, Britt Rowell, Ben Shelton, Cody Upton, Brady Hoda.
2024 Record: 6-2 overall, 1-1 in Region
STARKVILLE
AT A GLANCE
Class/Division: Class: 7A Region 2 (MHSAA)
Head Coach: Chris Jones
Assistant Coaches: William Stewart, Marlo Fair, James Jones.
2024 Record: 6-2 overall, 1-1 in Region
The Series: Starkville leads 13-7.
Last Match-Up: Starkville won 35-15 in the 2023 North State Final.
