Madison-Ridgeland Academy sure doesn’t believe in scheduling cream puffs for their non-conference games. This week is no exception as the Patriots face a 7-tier wedding cake as they travel to take on MHSAA powerhouse Oak Grove. The Warriors are undefeated at 3-0 and are arguably the number one team in the state of Mississippi.
“Our kids love playing in these type games and that’s why we do it. They love the challenge,” said MRA Head Coach Herbert Davis. “The atmosphere we will have down there is as good as it gets. Me and Drew (Oak Grove Head Coach Drew Causey) go way back. I knew him when I was at Petal and he played at Petal. We talked before the season and said ‘why not, let’s play to make us better when we get down in the region.’”
MRA has branched out to play other powerful programs, but they have been out of state. Last year the Patriots finished a home and home series with nationally ranked Oakland High School in the public school ranks in Tennessee. Pulaski Academy in Little Rock has been a staple on the schedule for the last three seasons.
“Honestly it’s hard to find the in-state schools willing to play us. They don’t feel like they have anything to gain, but everything to lose by playing us. I really appreciate Drew for making this happen. I think it’s great for high school football here in the state. No matter how it turns out, this game will make us better as we move down our schedule in district play,” said Coach Davis
The Patriots bring a 4-1 record into this game with wins over Parklane Academy (48-25), Magnolia Heights (56-14), Oak Forest, La (49-7) and Madison St. Joseph (42-14). Their only loss was a shootout with Pulaski that ended 45-43.
Oak Grove comes in with a perfect 3-0 mark with wins over in-state opponents Wayne County (49-0) and Hattiesburg (32-14). The Warriors picked up a monster win over Hoover, Ala. on the road in Metropolitan Stadium, where the SEC baseball tournament is held, 28-21 in overtime.
“They (Oak Grove), have 15 legitimate Division I prospects on that roster, several who will play in the SEC,” said Davis.
MRA has the offensive style and firepower to hang tough.
Senior quarterback John White is off to a great start this year. White has completed 92 of 137 passes for 1,519 yards (a 300 yards per game average) and thrown 17 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
“He’s been great. Two of his four picks have been receivers running the wrong route. He has great vision and throws to a spot. If he and the receivers are on the same page, we are successful. We all need to be on our ‘A’ game this week,” said Davis.
Little injuries through the first five games have allowed a lot of receivers to see playing time in this spread, high tempo offense. Sophomore Case Thomas is leading the way with 26 catches for 528 yards and six touchdowns. Thomas is averaging right at 20 yards a catch.
“That young man can run,” said Coach Davis. “He’s grown to 6’1 and put on 15 lbs. I knew he had a chance to be very good and then he decided this summer he wanted to be a great receiver and went to work. It was obvious he wanted to be great. He puts in so much time before and after practice, meeting with me to go over film, just showing his dedication.”
The rest of the receiving corps has really done well. Junior Jack Polles has 18 catches for 286 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Will Bizot will be out this week with a shoulder injury but has caught 12 passes for 179 yards and three touchdowns. Look for junior Barr Biggs (5-143 yards and one touchdown), Freshman Jack Dalton (7-104 yards and two touchdowns) and sophomore Gunnar Swanson (6-94 yards and a touchdown) to get plenty of looks Friday night.
Versatile running back Charles Simpson will be a huge factor as well. The senior is tops in the MAIS district with 59 carries for 518 yards and 10 touchdowns. Combine that with 18 catches for 152 yards and a touchdown, and you’ve got a dangerous weapon that may cause Oak Grove some fits defensively. “He’s very balanced and can score at any time,” said Coach Davis. “He’s just tremendous for us. He’s not very big, but strong and quick and hides behind the line.”
The Oak Grove defense is plain vicious. Overall they have 23 tackles for loss, five interceptions, forced six fumbles and scored four touchdowns. The Warriors are led by junior linebacker Malachi Henderson who has 38 tackles with four being for loss. Fellow junior linebacker Jaylan Moore has recorded 31 tackles with a fumble recovery and return for a touchdown. The defensive line is like a brick wall and will be an intimidating force. Senior defensive end Jalen Owens stands 6’5, 250 lbs. and has four tackles for loss and a sack. Caleb Moore, another senior on the line, is 6’3, 250 lbs. and notched five tackles for loss and two sacks. Senior cornerback Prentiss “PJ” Woodland is already committed to play at Mississippi State next year, has two interceptions for touchdowns and will be lurking in the secondary.
The Oak Grove offense features senior quarterback AJ Maddox who is committed to play for Texas A&M. Maddox is a big and accurate quarterback at 6’2”, 170 lbs. He has completed 30 of his 50 passes for 573 yards with seven touchdowns to just one interception. His top target is fellow SEC commit PJ Woodland who also plays receiver. Woodland has 10 catches for 266 yards and three touchdowns. The Warrior running game has junior Kylin Champagne leading the way with 33 carries for 171 yards and a touchdown.
“Their speed is what worries me, not necessarily their size,” said Coach Davis. “The key for us will be, don’t give up the deep ball and tackle well in space. We have been getting better defensively every week and this will be a tremendous test.”
The young men tasked with that challenge are led by senior linebacker Matthew Latham who leads the team with 46 tackles, four for loss and two sacks. The Patriots will need to try and get pressure on the quarterback but also protect the edges as Maddox loves to run as well. Two keys here will be senior defensive lineman Ford Clark (four sacks) and sophomore Curtis Gentry (seven sacks). Davis says it will be critical for his defenders like senior Brady Biggers, juniors Matthew Perkins and Jackson Toler to take good angles and get the ball carriers on the ground without big plays.
“This is just going to be a great experience for our kids, who else would you rather be playing than the number one team in the state,” said Davis. “Let’s play the best and as hard as we can, everything after that is a bonus.”
It will definitely be a daunting task for the Patriots, but they seem to have an appetite for something bigger than cream puffs.
MRA AT A GLANCE
Class/Division: Class: 6A. District 1 (MAIS)
Overall Record: 4-1
Head Coach: Herbert Davis
Assistant Coaches: Danny White, Hayden Davis, Jacob Land, Matt Walker, John Weaver, Kenny Williams
OAK GROVE AT A GLANCE
Class/Division: Class: 7A. District 1 (MHSAA)
Head Coach: Drew Causey
Assistant Coaches: Benjie Merchant, Sam Thomas, Jeff Waits, Marcellus Henderson, Trevon Durr, Kelton Vaughn, Tripp Sumrall, David Capers
PATRIOTS KEYS TO VICTORY
On Offense: The experience of quarterback John White should help keep the offense from getting too high or low. White will have to be perfect in the pocket, get the ball out quick and not turn the ball over. Running back Charles Simpson could take advantage of an aggressive defense and find himself in the second level.
On Defense: Bend but don’t break. The Warriors are going to move the football without a doubt. The key will be to make them run as many plays as possible and cause a turnover. Forcing field goal attempts rather than extra points is a best-case scenario.
Limit mistakes/penalties: If history repeats itself, this will be a one-possession game. Too many penalties or turnovers could be the deciding factor.
