Junior Vols capture conference title

October 6, 2011

From Staff Reports

McCOMB – Behind much hard work and a little good fortune, the Starkville Academy Junior Volunteers claimed the Class AAA-II South conference championship Thursday night.
SA's 15-13 overtime win on the road at Parklane coupled with a Copiah loss to East Rankin provided the Vols with their division crown.
"Where we were two years ago to where we are now, it's amazing," said SA head coach Chad Peterson. "It's a new day at Starkville Academy."
The Junior Vols (6-2) weren't able to claim victory without a fight however.
Starkville Academy and Parklane battled to a 7-7 tie in regulation with the Vols' lone score coming on a Houston Clark 30-yard touchdown pass to Hunter Peeples in the first quarter.
In overtime, SA surged ahead on a 10-yard touchdown run by John McReynolds, which put the Vols up 15-7 after a successful two-point conversion.
While Parklane answered with a score of its own, the Pioneers were not able to convert their 2-point conversion, cementing Starkville Academy's win and championship.
"This team has just worked hard and wouldn't be turned away," said Peterson. "We talked to them all week about expecting to win and they did."
Peterson's roster of 22 will now join head coach Jeff Terrill's varsity Vols, beginning with SA's Oct. 14 game at Winston Academy.

7th Grade Game
Parklane 20,
Starkville Academy 6

McCOMB – Facing Parklane's 8th graders, the Starkville Academy 7th grade team fell to the Pioneers.
While SA concluded its season with a final overall record of 3-4-1, head coach Casey Orr said he was proud of the way his team fought against an older, more experienced group.
"I thought we really played hard and got after them," said Orr.