DJ Watkins, Omarean Ellis, CJ Banks, Kiandre Terry, AJ Parker, Fagan Daniel, Brister Robertson, Colby Archie, Foster Meacham, Maddox Greer, Matt Thomas, John Thomas, Joshua Brown, TJ White, Baird Kennedy, Carter Mathison, Ford Childress, Bo Barbour, Pruet James, Josh Dockins, Nick Spratlin, Kingston Mays, Tripp Mosal, Camp Blunschi, Yates Elfert, Rhodes Robinson, Morris Griner, Connor Hillman, Chris Navari, Hiser Funderburg, El-Amin Bashir, Jack Seward, Maurib Abdul-Tawwab, Jacob Scarbrough, Coby Palmer, Parker Halford, Qasim Abdul-Tawwab, Dereon Albert, Newell Eatherly, Kellen Maurer, Ben Watson, Adonis Terry, Jack Skipper, Preston Perkins, Shamarye Lee, Kriston Edwards, Anthony Walker, Luke New, Nicholas Harris, Head Coach Aubrey Blackwell, Assistant Coaches Andrew Crenshaw, Jackie Smith, Tommy Ferrill, Shay Hodge, Dock Daniel, Jonathan Bolton
The Raiders have roared out of the gate on Ridgewood Road to start the football season. Jackson Academy, under second year Head Coach Aubrey Blackwell, is a perfect 2-0 with dominating wins over Bayou Academy (27-8) and Leake Academy (40-10). The Raiders outscored their opponents 54-3 in the first half of those two games.
“We were able to pull our starters at both half times which allowed them to rest and gave a lot of our younger guys to see significant game action,” said JA Head Coach Aubrey Blackwell.
This week the Raiders hit the road to play Pillow Academy in the scorching heat expected in the Mississippi Delta. The Mustangs opened the year with a 24-21 win over Lee Academy. Blackwell is very well aware that his Raiders have two opponents this week in the thermometer and the Mustangs. High temperatures in the Jackson area exceeded 100 degrees every day and the forecast for Greenwood on Friday night calls for a high temperature of 104 degrees before kickoff.
“It’s been just brutal. We have adjusted our practices the best we can. We only practice in pads for about 20 minutes a day,” said Blackwell. “We try to keep things simple with our play calling so we don’t have to spend too much time outside. Our number one priority is player safety. Our goal is to make sure none of our kids suffers a heat illness during practice or a game. We will do whatever it takes to keep them safe and also prepare for a football game.”
Offensively, JA has been able to run its up tempo offense quite well, even in the heat. Sophomore quarterback Carter Mathison has been very efficient completing 22 of 31 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Despite his youth, Mathison is playing like a cagy veteran.
“He is so calm and so cerebral. He is able to read what the defenses are showing and making the adjustment in our RPO (Run Pass Offense) game. We’ve kept his reads to a minimum and he’s been so efficient,” said Blackwell.
Senior wide receiver Kiandre Terry is off to a blazing start. The Arkansas State commit has caught 13 passes for 209 yards and two touchdowns. “He is one of the best route runners I’ve ever coached. He just knows how to get open,” said Blackwell. As defenses start doubling Keandre, look for seniors Bo Barbour and Brister Robinson to put up big numbers as well.
The running game has been super-impressive, led by junior Omarean Ellis. Ellis got hurt in the fourth game last year and missed the rest of the season. So far he’s racked up 166 yards on 19 carries and scored three touchdowns. The backfield is a committee with three other solid runners in juniors DJ Watkins and AJ Parker, along with sophomore El-Amin Bashir. All four have different running styles which will keep the Mustangs guessing. While the backs put up the numbers, Coach Blackwell says it is a testament to the offensive line.
“Four of our five offensive linemen are back this year and they are playing great,” said Blackwell. “They have worked so hard in the weight room with our strength and conditioning coaches and you can see it’s paying dividends.”
Defensively, the Raiders are just plain dominant on the line with their front four or sometimes five. Leading the way is senior defensive lineman Nicholas Harris who has eight tackles for loss and five sacks in the first two games.
“He just plays with a different motor. He needed a hydration IV in the first game because he plays so hard. He is an old school type player that is fun to coach and watch,” said Blackwell.
Harris is joined by sophomore Dereon Albert who stands 6’2, 315 pounds and is extremely quick for his size. He has notched 10 tackles and four sacks to start the year. Albert already has offers from Ole Miss and Auburn, along with several other Division I schools.
“Dereon has gotten so much bigger from his freshman year,” said Coach Blackwell. “His wing span is so wide and a quick first step. He is a dominant force to contend with.”
Junior Parker Halford is back on the line after a knee injury. The linebacker corps is led by senior Colby Archie, who has an offer on the table to Co-Lin because of his pure ability to rush the passer. Archie is joined by fellow seniors Maddox Greer and Fagan Daniel that can get after the quarterback and stuff the run as well. Lurking in secondary is senior CJ Banks who has already taken an interception back 85 yards for a touchdown.
Pillow Academy brings a strong run game into this contest. Quarterback Tate DuBard is a fast, shifty runner that can also bull his way through defenders. In the season opening win over Lee Academy, the Mustangs had 405 total yards, with 379 rushing. DuBard made smart reads in his own RPO system, with Ruben Martinez and Charlie Robbins toting the rock too. Defensively Coach Jim Crowder has two versatile players who are ball hawks in defensive lineman Serafin Simon and inside linebacker Drake Alderman. Coach Blackwell expects an extremely physical game and knows Pillow defends its home turf extremely well.
The Mustangs theme for Friday night is “’Stangs Walk the Red Carpet.” Red is certainly a fitting color this week as the thermometer will be bubbling over for sure in the Delta. The winner will not only have beaten their opponent, but some record heat as well.
Keys to Victory for Jackson Academy:
On offense: The Raiders will look to stay balanced. The four horseman of the backfield, Omarean Ellis, DJ Watkins, AJ Parker and El-Amin Bashir, will look to wear down the Mustangs. That could really open up some big downfield strikes from Carter Mathison to Kiandre Terry.
On defense: Pillow should play right into JA’s strength, run stopping. The key will be to get the Mustangs off the field quickly. Long, sustained drives in the heat could wear down the Raiders big men up front. If JA can make Pillow one dimensional to make them pass, it should be a very successful night.
The Series: Jackson Academy leads 12-5.
Last Meeting: Jackson Academy won 42-28 in 2022.
AT A GLANCE
Jackson Academy:
Class/Division: Class 6A, District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 2-0 overall, 0-0 in district
Head Coach: Aubrey Blackwell
Assistant Coaches: Jackie Smith, Tommy Ferrill, Shay Hodge, Jonathan Bolton, Andrew Crenshaw,
Pillow Academy:
Class/Division: Class 5A, District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 1-0 overall, 0-0 in district
Head Coach: Jim Crowder
Assistant Coaches: Barrett Donahoe, Steve Gleason, Nick Serio, Peyton Turner
