We have three terrific playoff games this week. First are the MAIS 6A Semifinals where #1 Madison-Ridgeland Academy will host #4 Jackson Academy and #2 Jackson Prep welcomes #3 Hartfield Academy. The other game takes us to the MHSAA 6A first round where Madison Central hits the road to play South Panola in Batesville.
Here’s a closer look at those games:
MAIS 6A Semifinal
#4 Jackson Academy (9-3) at #1 MRA (9-3)
Top seeded Madison Ridgeland Academy takes its first step towards a four-peat in MAIS 6A playoffs. The Patriots earned a much needed bye week to heal some bumps and bruises and work on tightening up their timing on both sides of the ball. JA is coming off a nail-biting 22-20 win at home in the “Brickyard” over Parklane.
“Our biggest keys this week will be our preparation. It all begins there. We have to be sharp and focused every day this week,” said JA Head Coach Aubrey Blackwell. “This will be an electric atmosphere and confidence in these games comes from great preparation.”
This will be rematch of a September 16 regular season game that MRA won 21-6. It was a well-played game that saw the Raiders defense make the Patriots one-dimensional. MRA, which loves to spread things out and pass the ball over the field, relied on its run game that night with JJ Latham racking up 101 yards on just 16 carries. The Patriots quarterback John White was held to just 63 yards passing with one touchdown. Meanwhile, the MRA defense was smothering with defensive end Alex Millhouse recording three sacks and four tackles for loss. Linebacker Bennett Cloud was everywhere picking up 15 tackles and four tackles for loss as well. Since then the Patriots offense has come alive, scoring nearly 40 points per game. Their only misstep was in the regular season finale when they had already clinched the top seed and a first round bye. The Pats lost to Hartfield 31-28, their first loss to a Mississippi team in four years.
“MRA has gotten better each week, and we have too. As most playoff games are, mistakes and big plays will set the tone. Our special teams really set us back last time we played and we will need to play very well in that phase this week,” said Coach Blackwell.
The Raiders are coming off two excellent offensive performances against Parklane. Running back DJ Watkins has emerged as a force to be reckoned with two 100 yard performances in both those games. That will be key as JA works to ground and pound the football to control the clock.
MAIS 6A Semifinal
#3 Hartfield Academy (9-2) at #2 Jackson Prep (10-1)
Jackson Prep is back in a big way. The second seeded Patriots, under first year Head Coach Doug Goodwin, have resurrected the Patriot Nation going 10-1 and earning a first round bye in the playoffs. They will meet Hartfield Academy who beat Presbyterian Christian School 35-18 in the first round last week, The Hawks are riding high after beating MRA 35-28 to end the regular season. This will be a return trip to the semifinals for Hartfield as it advanced to the championship game a year ago.
“We are excited to be back in the semifinals this year and get to play Jackson Prep again. We have to do a better job of executing in all three phases of the game,” said Hartfield Head Coach Craig Bowman. “Jackson Prep is a great team and if we do not do the little things right they take advantage. We just need to relax and play our style of football.”
These two met at Hartfield back on October 21, a 28-19 thriller won by Jackson Prep and has the potential to be a close contest again. Patriots quarterback Paxton Thompson was sizzling in the first meeting completing 14-21 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown. Prep also ran the ball 36 times for 111 yards for three touchdowns. The Hawks offense was equally as impressive as quarterback Tripp Maxwell was 13-21 for 22 yards and two touchdowns. Hartfield racked up 126 yards on the legs of Reed Jesiolowski and found the endzone. If the Hawks are to win this week they will lean on Jesiolowski, who has a season total of more than 900 rushing yards and nearly 500 receiving yards with 20 total touchdowns. For the Patriots, the offense seems to flow through the success of receiver Will Upton, who has 1,000 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns and receiver William Laird with 500 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
This should be an outstanding offensive duel once again between two very evenly matched teams.
Keys to Victory:
On offense:
For Hartfield, get the ball into the hands of Reed Jesiolowski. The Hawks Swiss Army Knife has the potentially to carve up the Patriots defense.
For Prep, continue to spread the ball around. Quarterback Paxton Thompson has made great decisions late in the season showing his ability to use his legs when flushed from the pocket. If Paxton has a good night, Prep has a great chance.
On defense:
For Hartfield, continue to be aggressive. The speed of this defense can force mistakes and tackles for loss. If the Hawks continue to play with intensity, they can wreak havoc.
For Prep, do whatever you can to take Jesiolowski away as a weapon. He is the heart of the offense. If you force other Hawks to beat you, the chances of success are much greater.
MHSAA 6A First Round
Madison Central (7-3) at South Panola (8-2)
Madison Central begins its defense of the 6A State Title against the South Panola Tigers in the first round of the MHSAA playoffs. The Jaguars finished third in Region 2 which sends the them on the road to the number three seed in Region 1. The Jaguars come into this one fresh off a regular season finale shootout win at Oxford 56-43, which also knocked the Chargers out of a playoff spot.
The Tigers are on a dominating four game winning streak heading into this game. roll. They have outscored their opponents by an average of 42-7. South Panola sports a prolific passing game and a rugged running attack. Senior quarterback David Hubbard has thrown for more than 1,200 yards, 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions. Hubbard’s favorite target has been junior Michael Johnson who has accounted for more than 600 receiving yards and five scores. Senior running back D’Mariun Perteet is a beast out of the backfield. Perteet has run for more than 1,200 yards, an average of 126 yards per game and scored 16 touchdowns.
The Jaguars have employed a two quarterback system the last few games and has been very effective. Head Coach Toby Collums has employed senior Vic Sutton and senior tight end Jake Norris to take snaps. Both Norris and Sutton led the offense on scoring drives against Oxford. Their top target is Isaiah Spencer, who has more than 50 catches for nearly 800 yards. Norris and senior wide-out Thomas Nichols have combined for more than 500 receiving yards as well. The Jaguars have been very diverse on the ground with Connor Brown, Deandre Pullen, Glen Singleton and Jake Norris finding triple digits in yardage and accounting for 25 touchdowns.
Keys to Victory:
For Madison Central:
On offense: Ball security. South Panola will make you pay for mistakes, especially on the road.
On defense: Stay focused and disciplined. This is a tough task as the Tigers are a balanced team and will try to mix things up 50/50. If the Jags can limit Perteet and the rushing game, the odds are much better to force Hubbard to try and beat you through the air.
