Jackson Prep and Jackson Academy want to beat each other in everything. Whether on the playing field, in the classroom or even for a parking spot, it’s all a competition. Friday night will be chess match within the football game. The two teams have adopted similar styles under second year head coaches Doug Goodwin for Prep and Aubrey Blackwell for JA, which will make this a strategic match of trying to outwit the other.
Both teams come in undefeated and have won every game by double digits. Jackson Academy boasts a perfect 4-0 start with wins over Bayou Academy (27-8), Leake Academy (40-10), Pillow Academy (42-7) and Silliman Institute (51-0). Jackson Prep is also perfect at 3-0 after beating Copiah Academy (42-7), Adams County Christian (24-12) and Pillow Academy (48-14).
“Our kids have been very impressive, especially on the defensive side of the ball. This week things are getting turned up a notch. With Jackson Prep, things are going to be a lot faster and more physical. They are going to do to us with whatever look we give them. If we line up to stop the pass, they’ll run. If we try to shut down the run, they’ll look to pass. It’s just like chess. We will have to be balanced and disguise some of our plays. They will change their defensive front a lot. We try to do the same thing. This will be a fun in-game chess match for both teams and the fans,” said Jackson Academy Coach Aubrey Blackwell.
“It’s always a chess match when two teams are evenly matched. We have to read and take advantage of what they are going to give us. You can’t be pig headed and force your will,” said Jackson Prep Head Coach Doug Goodwin. “I’m more of a checkers guy, but my wife beats me every time. I don’t think I’m too good at chess either, but pretty good at coaching football. You never want to be predictable. You become easy prey. The key to being successful is to be complex to your opponent and simple for your guys.”
The offenses for both teams have been extremely successful and efficient to start the season. The ground game has flourished for the Raiders. They’ve amassed 976 rushing yards through the first four games. Junior Omarean Ellis has 44 carries for 522 yards and scored seven touchdowns.
“A lot of people don’t know his name because he got hurt in game four last year at St. Joe. He broke a bone in his foot but is back and better than before. He’s a big physical guy at 6’0, 205 pounds. He is complemented well by DJ, El and Kiandre in the slot,” said Coach Blackwell.
Sophomore El-Amin Bashir, in just his first year as a running back has taken 31 carries for 251 yards and two touchdowns. His success has allowed fellow back DJ Watkins and AJ Parker to spend more time on defense. Watkins, a junior, has still notched 19 carries for 178 yards and three touchdowns. Blackwell calls junior AJ Parker, also a track champion, the fastest man in MAIS football.
Sophomore quarterback Carter Mathison has been a great game manager completing 36 of 56 passes for 507 yards, six touchdowns to just two interceptions. “He’s just efficient and smart with the football. He makes the high percentage passes and we’ve told him that his top priority is completion percentage, keep the chains moving,” said Blackwell. Keeping the chains moving has been easy with senior wide receiver Kiandre Terry as Mathison’s top target. Terry is explosive with 13 catches for 209 yards and two touchdowns.
Jackson Prep’s offense has been balanced so far under the leadership of quarterback Parker Puckett. The junior is 32 of 52 passing for 450 yards and three touchdowns. Puckett has also run the ball 14 times for 130 yards and another 130 yards.
“Parker was nine for nine last week and made really good decisions. He upped his game and really made smart high percentage throws. He is very smart and has the ability to really read what the defense is showing him and also knows when he can pull it down and run with it,” said Coach Goodwin.
Prep has two tremendously talented senior tight ends that are great pass catchers and blockers. Peyton Puckett stands 6’2, 215 pounds and leads the team with ten catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Owen McCraney is 6’4, 200 pounds and is averaging 16 yards per catch. The two seniors also help clear the way in the running game as the Patriots have rushed for 647 yards. Senior Lake Womack has rushed 32 times for 199 yards and six touchdowns. Junior Cole Gideon is just behind with 24 carries for 198 yards and two touchdowns. “Both those guys run hard and have great ball security. Our O-Line has opened up some great holes and our backs have shown they can create on their own,” said Coach Goodwin.
Taking a look at the defenses for both teams, Prep has been led thus far by senior defensive lineman Andy Brown, Brown leads the team in tackles with 22 and eight tackles for loss. Senior linebacker Thomas Cross is second in tackles with 21 tackles and three for loss. How these two fare on Friday night will go a long way in deciding the winner. “We’ve got to tackle 1 (Omarean Ellis), 2 (DJ Watkins), and 5 (AJ Parker). Overall they are bigger and faster than we are. We are going to lean on our discipline and technique to be successful,” said Goodwin.
The Raiders have been stout up front with their two defensive lineman, senior Nicholas Harris and sophomore Dereon Albert. Harris leads the way with 21 tackles, 14 of those coming for a loss. “The level you get out of him is unmatched.
He’s just undersized according to recruiters. He plays with a chip on his shoulders. He has aspirations to play college football and is out to prove himself,” said Coach Blackwell. Albert meanwhile has tallied 20 tackles with eight of them coming for a loss. As a sophomore he’s getting looks from Auburn and Tennessee along with several mid-major colleges. Senior linemen Colby Archie and Hiser Funderberg will play a huge role in neutralizing the Prep offense.
“Prep loves their two big tight ends. They can spread four wide with them because they are so athletic or go tight with that same personnel. It will be tough to have our right guys in position to defend whatever they may motion into,” said Blackwell.
This rivalry has been has dominated Jackson Academy in this rivalry since 2012. Over those 11 years, the Patriots have won 16 of the 18 games. Their latest meeting in 2022, was a 35-7 Prep victory.
“Back in January we preached last year is over we haven’t done anything yet. We have a new group of leaders. Our goal was not to have any entitlement. We aren’t talented enough to just show and expect to win because Prep is on our helmet,” said Coach Goodwin.
“That’s why I’m here, they brought me here to get the kids in the best position to win and teach. We ask our kids ‘How are we gonna get better every week and what are you going to do to prove that.’ We wanna get over the hump. We are out to win a state championship,” said Coach Blackwell.
Jackson Academy has something to prove in “The Brickyard” Friday night. Jackson Prep is coming with a business as usual approach. Yes, it’s a regular season football game, but it’s also a rivalry where these two schools want to win in everything. Remember to get there early, parking spots are at a premium.
JA AT A GLANCE
Class/Division: Class: 6A. District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 4-0 overall, 0-0 in district
Head Coach: Aubrey Blackwell
Assistant Coaches: Jackie Smith, Tommy Ferrill, Shay Hodge, Jonathan Bolton, Andrew Crenshaw
PREP AT A GLANCE
Class/Division: Class: 6A. District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 3-0 overall, 0-0 in district
Head Coach: Doug Goodwin
Assistant Coaches: Nick Brewer, Graham Eklund, Matt Butts, Brent Heavener, Keith Giordano, Rusty Burke
The Series: Jackson Prep leads the recent series 22-10.
Last Meeting: Jackson Prep won 35-7 in the 2022 regular season.
