John White, Case Thomas, Charles Simpson, Gunnar Swanson, Will Bizot, Jack Poole, Parks Fuller, Ford Clark, Mathew Perkins, Brady Biggers, Jack Polles, Ben Horner, Matthew Latham, Jackson Toler, Barr Biggs, John Polles, Samuel Stockett, Easton Windham, Camden Starkey, Jack Dalton, Jack Ridgway, Jake McMillan, Lucas Blanco, Beckett Strong, Fletcher Cox, James Downer, Seth Thomas, Michael McCrory, Will Jones, Ethan Davis, Patrick Plunkett, Heath Brown, JP Murphy, Cade Gentry, Max Zuluaga, Jack Madden, Jack Grove, Gatling Myers, Wade Hansford, Parker Durham, William Thomas, Win Crews, Banks Brummett, Sebastian Griffin, Hayden Mize, Joe Koury, Blayne Williams, Gauge Myers, Shane Sanderson, Cade Clark, Owen Phillippi, Morgan McCrory, Caleb Unger, Charlie Maxey, Dylan King
The curtain rises on the 2023 MAIS football season Thursday night as Madison-Ridgeland Academy hits the road to open the show at Parklane Academy.
Despite winning three of the last four 6A titles and appearing in the championship game last year, the Patriots are on a mission to re-dedicate themselves to discipline. MRA Head Coach Herbert Davis points to the 21-14 title game loss against Jackson Prep which saw the Patriots turn the ball over six times.
“It comes down to discipline. Do your job,” said Coach Davis. “We have built a culture here, not just a team, where very high standards have been set. Last year we didn’t live up to it and we are trying to get back there.”
Davis is entering his 10th year at the helm and will again run the up-tempo, spread it out offense that can put points on the board quickly. Last year it put up just over 33 points per game. Quarterback John White returns for his senior season. White is coming off an impressive junior year, completing 60 percent of his passes for 3,175 yards, 28 touchdowns to just eight interceptions.
White has been the starting quarterback since his sophomore season. He is likely to surpass 10,000 passing yards for his high school career as he sits at 7,110 yards with 67 total touchdowns. White committed to play football at Southern Miss before his junior season and, according to Coach Davis, continues to mature and get better every day.
“In our preseason workouts, (John) White looks incredible. He is extremely poised and understands the game and our system more than ever,” said Coach Davis. “We put a lot on him and we look forward to big things this year.”
White will have to find a new favorite target this year with the graduation of his top receiver in Rivers Godwin. Godwin was the go-to last year with 68 catches 1,161 yards and 11 touchdowns. There will be plenty of chances for stars to shine in the Davis offense.
The Patriots are expecting to be a little short handed against Parklane though, with injuries to their lone senior receiver Ben Horner, junior Jack Polles, sophomore Will Jones, and sophomore Jack Poole. Regardless, this is a very young group and Coach Davis views this week’s opener as a chance for young guys to really step up. Davis says they will lean on sophomores Case Thomas and Will Bizot to make big strides to start the year.
While the running game isn’t the primary focus of the offensive attack, it is crucial to keeping the defense honest. Senior Charles Simpson burst on the scene last year with 177 carries for 1,030 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also had 15 catches for 134 yards and three more scores. Simpson can not only take some of the pressure off John White, he makes this a two-dimensional offense.
The defense is where the Patriots have the biggest question marks. Coach Davis says his secondary is thin after losing five of his starting six to graduation. Junior safety Matthew Perkins is back and coming off a solid sophomore season. Perkins racked up 84 tackles, four for loss, grabbed five interceptions and recorded a sack
“He is a special player and he is going to have to be the dog,” said Coach Davis.
Junior Jake McMillan and sophomore Gunnar Swanson will take the reins at cornerback. Three other are competing in the secondary in Jackson Toler, Beckett Strong and Jack Ridgeway.
“All the guys coming back have things together skill-wise but we need them to mature mentally and physically. We’ve got to get more consistent on defense,” said Davis. “We can make really good plays against really good players. We’ve just got to do it with consistency.”
Parklane Academy is starting off in a new classification this year, moving down to Class 5A. While in 6A last year, the Pioneers lost to MRA 45-21. The move could make coach Ron Rushing’s team one of the top teams in class 5A.
Coach Rushing has a senior laden offensive line, and an experienced defense. All told, the Pioneers boast 20 seniors on this year’s squad. While Coach rushing needs to find a new quarterback, after losing his top talent Amarien Jefferson to graduation, he does return leading receiver Brewer Carruth. The Pioneers run a very similar offensive system to MRA, where they go up-tempo and spread the ball out.
Defensively, Parklane will be led by seniors Zed Washington and Walker Anderson, who were the top defenders on the team as juniors. The two combined for 171 tackles.
“We will be playing one of the top teams in 5A, a championship contender in my opinion,” said Coach Davis. “We schedule our non-conference games to make us better and I know Parklane will do just that.”
It’s a red carpet premiere on Thursday night as MRA looks take the first step in getting back to what it does best, win championships. It will be a great test right out of the gate on the road against Parklane. Let the show begin.
At presstime Coach Davis was in the hospital. Associate Head Coach Danny White will coach until he returns. Keeping Coach Davis in our thoughts and prayers.
Keys to Victory for MRA:
On offense: The experience John White will give the Patriots an advantage. The key will be the receivers. Who will step up to make the big plays with a lot of youth and relative inexperience in this opener. Look for White to make quick short passes to help the young receivers succeed. Charles Simpson could have a big game as well as Parklane tries to put pressure on the pass.
On defense: With an experienced and solid offensive line, the Patriots may have a tough time getting into the backfield. Look for the MRA to blitz the linebackers to protect a very inexperienced secondary to start the season.
The Series: MRA leads 13-1
Last Match-Up: MRA won 45-21 in 2022 regular season.
AT A GLANCE
MRA Patriots:
Class/Division: Class: 6A District 1 (MAIS)
Head Coach: Herbert Davis
Assistant Coaches: Danny White, Hayden Davis, Jacob Land, Matt Walker, John Weaver, Kenny Williams
Parklane Academy Pioneers
Class: 5A District 3 (MAIS)
Head Coach: Ron Rushing
