The Tupelo Varsity Football team played their final regular season game of the year against the arch-rival Starkville Yellow Jackets on Thursday, November 2nd.

Last season Tupelo went 1-1 against Starkville after defeating them in the regular season but later losing in the playoffs. This time Tupelo won  36-6 by following the same formula that they have been following the entire season taking advantage of their strong run game and defense.

Tupelo forced a punt on Starkville’s first drive and followed that up with a drive of only running plays, starting with a big run by running back Quay Middlebrooks and ending with a short touchdown run by Quarterback Jeremiah Harrell. A Starkville penalty on the extra point attempt put Tupelo in position to go for a 2-point attempt, one which they converted with a pass to tight end Brody Wilson.

Starkville’s only touchdown of the night came on a 2-yard run in the second quarter, a failed 2-point attempt afterward keeping the score at 8-6. Following the touchdown Starkville attempted and successfully converted a surprise onside kick to maintain possession of the football in Tupelo territory, but a pair of sacks and a failed 4th down conversion gave Tupelo the ball back.

A touchdown reception by Wide Receiver Tyreke Darden put Tupelo up 15-6 right before half-time, and a touchdown reception by Wide Receiver JQ Witherspoon following half-time gave Tupelo a 22-6 lead.

2 deep touchdown passes to wide receivers JQ Witherspoon and Braylon Mathews resulted in the game’s final score of 36-6. With the win Tupelo clinched their title as 7a Region 2 champions and alongside it a number 1 seed in the playoffs. Tupelo will play Desoto Central next Friday, November 10th.