STARKVILLE — Thoughts of a return to the MAIS Class AAA state championship game and a possible rematch between with Indianola Academy were dashed  for ACCS Friday night.

Led by Taylor Arnold and Brady Richardson, Starkville Academy made sure that was not going to happen. The No. 2 seed Volunteers had a nearly two-on-one advantage in total offensive yards as they defeated the No. 3 seed Rebels 31-0 Friday night.

“They were a much more physical team and the better team won,” ACCS head coach David King said.

Arnold led the Volunteers’ ground game with 133 yards on 16 carries, including a 22-yard touchdown run with 2:33 to go in the first quarter. Noah Methvin, their running quarterback, had a pair of short TD runs, the first of which went for three yards with 7:12 left in the second quarter to go up 14-0.

ACCS looked like it was on its way to getting back in the game as it drove all the way down to the Starkville Academy 1-yard line. Then a bad snap led to a fumble that Brady Richardson recovered and returned 99 yards for a touchdown to put the Volunteers (12-1) ahead 21-0 at the 4:51 mark of the second quarter.

“They were hungry and had an answer for everything we tried to do,” King said. “We just got outplayed tonight.”

The Volunteers’ defense held DyKevis Ford in check throughout the game. Ford had just 17 rushing yards on seven carries and three catches for 45 yards. Jacob McDaniel completed nine of 20 passes for 93 yards with one interception.

Ben Owens, Starkville Academy’s passing quarterback, went 9-for-16 for 103 yards with two interceptions. Cameron Mckee made all four extra points and a 27-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

District 4-AA champion ACCS finished its season with an 11-2 overall record.

“I am going to miss these seniors,” King said.