It’s hard when you’re the new kid on the block, trying to prove you belong and trying to impress everyone as you build confidence. Hartfield Academy is doing both as it plays in just its second year in MAIS Class 6A. The Hawks are off to a strong start this season with a 7-1 overall mark and 2-1 in the district. This week they will host Jackson Prep, 8-1 overall and 2-1 in district as well, in a monster match-up with huge playoff implications in our C Spire Game of the Week.
“This is just our 11th year of playing football as a school,” said Hartfield Academy Head Coach Craig Bowman. “On the other side we’re facing opponents like Jackson Prep, steeped in tradition for more than 50 years so we are still trying to make a name for ourselves. I think, from a coaching perspective, we get a lot of respect for what we’ve earned over the past four seasons. We made it to the state championship game for the first year in 6A last year (a 42-7 loss to Madison-Ridgeland Academy). Beating Jackson Academy two weeks ago was a really big deal, but if we have a letdown after big wins, that’s what people remember, we will be judged on how we keep playing. We start with a clean slate this week. We share the same record with Prep, but we will be viewed on how we do going forward, not where we are now.”
Hartfield comes into this game after an impressive 49-20 win over Greenville Christian School. The Hawks have bounced back in a big way after a surprising district loss to Presbyterian Christian 14-7 in early September. Since then they have won five in a row, averaging 38 points per game on offense, while the defense is yielding an average of just eight points per game.
Jackson Prep is in the midst of a tremendous turnaround under first year Head Coach Doug Goodwin. The Patriots only loss this season is to Madison-Ridgeland Academy 26-14 and they enter this game fresh off a rivalry game drubbing of Jackson Academy 35-7. Prep is posting an average of 42 points per game while giving up an average of only 12.
A win this week ensures no worse than the second seed in the district for the playoffs for either of these two teams.
“I am looking forward to the head coaching match-up against Coach Goodwin. I’m an Alabama native where Doug is a coaching legend. This will be the first time I’ve had the chance to go against him as a head coach,” said Coach Bowman. “It’s going to be a tough week of preparation, but this is why we do what we do for games like this. It’s definitely going to have a post season feel.”
Offensively Bowman is looking for senior quarterback Tripp Maxwell to continue his prolific play. The first-year starter has thrown for 1,405 yards, 17 touchdowns to just six interceptions. He’s completed 66 percent of his passes and averages right at 200 yards a game.
“It’s taken much of the season for us to get us on the same wavelength as he’s worked to learn the system, but Tripp is doing great, especially after the PCS game,” said Bowman.
Maxwell has been blessed to have a versatile tool in junior running back Reed Jesiolowski, who has racked up 980 all-purpose yards and 13 touchdowns. Jesiolowski has rushed for 384 yards with six touchdowns, has 418 receiving yards for seven scores and has 180 kick return yards.
The Hawks are also flying high with wide receiver Gage Sorey. The senior has 28 catches for 490 yards and five touchdowns. “Gage is a high-level soccer player. He is one of the smartest athletic minds I’ve ever coached. He and (Jackson Prep star receiver) Will Upton are so similar. They are so savvy and always in the right place. Their understanding of space in the modern-day spread is phenomenal which, I think, translates from their soccer success,” said Bowman.
It should be a fun game within the game to see how Sorey and Will Upton try to outshine one another. Upton has surpassed the 900-yard mark in receiving and notched 13 touchdowns. The Patriots passer is also going to be tough to top. Senior quarterback Paxton Thompson is closing in on a 2,000-yard season, averaging 230 yards a game with 23 touchdowns.
These two high-powered spread offenses have the potential to wreak havoc with what have been two dominant defenses. The best way to describe the Hartfield defense is speed. They are very fast and have a suffocating secondary led by senior Blake Condon. He is a true ball hawk with an eye-popping 10 interceptions. Coach Bowman says the secondary success is based on the speed and pressure put on by the defensive front and linebackers who have been able to force bad throws. Bowman gives loads of love to the D-line made up of 6’4” defensive end Reid Gaston, 6’2” defensive tackle London Simmons and a quick, strong nose guard in Banks Speed. Junior linebacker Chris Jones can play inside or outside and will definitely be a factor in spying on Prep quarterback Paxton Thompson.
“Paxton Thompson is one of the toughest competitor’s in this league,” said Bowman. “He is tough, gritty, can run the football, escape and just has a phenomenal arm. It’s going to be a good test of our defense.”
The Patriots defense will be equally tested by the Hawks high flying offense. They will lean heavily on team leading tackler senior Duncan Mathews and fellow senior Sam Watts. The Pats will look for junior Andy Brown to put some pressure on the quarterback and slow down the run game. his own.
This game has the makings of a classic. Two very good offenses and two terrific defenses. Both hoping to keep their hopes of a district title alive, and for Hartfield a chance to prove the Hawks Nest can be an intimidating place.
“We need as many Hawks fans standing, stomping and yelling along with our tailgaters making it tough. We need everybody, it’s gonna be a tough fight,” said Coach Bowman. “I want it to be an atmosphere where we tell our kids to take a moment to look around and take it in. You are going to remember this.”
While Hartfield still feels like the new kid on the block in 6A, the Hawks can go a long way in proving they belong in the elite category Friday night when a resurgent Jackson Prep comes to campus for the “Battle of Lakeland Drive”.
Keys to Victory for Jackson Prep:
On offense: Quarterback Paxton Thompson will have to be smart with the football. This Hawks defense could be the fastest he sees all season. Getting the ball out quickly and an effective running game can neutralize speed.
On defense: Disguise blitzes. Hartfield Quarterback Tripp Maxwell is still a first year starter and bringing pressure from different angles could lead to turnovers.
Keys to Victory for Hartfield:
On offense: Be ready to run the ball. Prep will do it’s best to take away the passing game. Hard runs and screen passes may open up downfield strikes.
On defense: It’s said every week, but limit the big plays. Don’t be surprised if Will Upton sees plenty of double coverage in an attempt to limit his big plays.
The Series: Hartfield leads the all-time series 2-0.
Last Meeting: Hartfield won 17-13 in the 2021 MAIS playoffs.
AT A GLANCE
Jackson Prep:
Class/Division: Class 6A, District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 8-1 overall, 2-1 in District
Head Coach: Doug Goodwin (First Season)
Assistant Coaches: Nick Brewer, Rusty Burke, Matt Butts, Graham Eklund, Derek Rang, Zander Romano, Marcus Thompson, Marcus Canoy, Brent Heavener, Les Triplett.
Hartfield Academy:
Class/Division: Class 6A, District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 7-1 overall, 2-1 in District
Head Coach: Craig Bowman
Assistant Coaches: Cody Saxton, Pack Toler, Stuardt Saxton.
