The Patriots are going into Friday’s game with the wind at their backs, having defeated Heritage Academy last week.
On August 28, Jackson Prep (1-0, 0-) will travel to Mendenhall, where the school will take on the Simpson Academy Cougars.
The Patriots came into the season poised to make another run at the state championship.
After falling short in last year’s 6A title game against Madison-Ridgeland Academy, Prep appears to be back in old form, winning its first matchup of the season against last year’s 5A champs, Heritage Academy. Prep oustcored Heritage 41-13.
“Heritage is a big game for us,” said head coach Ricky Black said prior to the match. “They were riding a 14-game winning streak.”
Last year, Prep fell to Heritage in the season opener. Heritage would go on to win the state title in MAIS 5A. Prep would put together a 10-3 season and fall to MRA in the title game.
That loss represented the first time Prep had fallen in the championship in eight appearances. The results are a motivating factor for Prep this year.
“In our first game against Heritage, we wanted to redeem ourselves. Last year, we lost in that game and the championship game,” Black said.
On offense, the Patriots are led by senior quarterback Riley Maddox and senior running back Matt Jones.
Last year, Jones was a key component of the powerful Prep offense, carrying the ball for 1,504 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Maddox passed for 755 yards and six touchdowns at helm and rushed for an additional 55 yards and four touchdowns.
Jones could well be on his way to another 1,500-yard season, having put 137 against Heritage, according to the Dispatch’s recap of the game.
“In the skill positions, I feel we are as good as we have been. The biggest problem is having depth at offensive lineman,” said Black. “The other concern is also the defensive line.”
On offense, seniors Grant Simpson and Josh Oden returned. However, both were sidelined by injury early on. Simpson was expected to return for the Heritage game, but it was not sure when Oden would be back.
On defense, the Prep is loaded at the linebacker position, with senior Braden Mabry at middle linebacker, and senior Seth Cook and junior William Deas both at outside linebacker.
Last year, Mabry had 39 solo tackles and 73 assists, as well as 15.5 tackles for a loss; Cook had 28 solo tackles, 49 assists and six for a loss; Deas had 12 solo tackles, 42 assists and nine for a loss, according to Maxpreps.
However, the team will need help at the line of scrimmage. “A lot of people are going to have to come through and play. Eli Berch played a good bit last year, but the rest are inexperienced lineman,” Black said.
As a sophomore, Berch had three tackles and 12 assists, including two for a loss in nine games played.
Gameplay aside, Black said one of the toughest things for coaches and players will be dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak.
“We have to consider two things this year: the virus and injuries,” he said. Injuries always come into play near season’s end.
This year, a second wave of the coronavirus, or a breakout of new cases on a team could have a major impact on late-season games.
The longtime coach said his school, like many others, have put numerous protocols in place to keep players safe.
“You wear masks everywhere you can. You can’t wear them at practice, but you wear them anywhere you’re able to, especially inside or at meetings,” he said. “We check temperatures, the health of the players each day, we sanitize all the areas we use. All the players have to bring their own water.
“Basically, the elements we teach in football, right now, we’re having to teach against some of them, like closeness and groupwork. We have to spread out too much because of social distancing.”
Said Black, “In 50 years of coaching, I’ve never had to deal with this.”
Prep will take on Simpson Academy Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. It is an away game.
Patriots’ Keys to Victory:
Make room for Matt: The offensive line has to open up lanes for Matt Jones to run. He’s a playmaker.
Stay focused: Don’t look ahead to the playoffs. Don’t think about COVID. Stay in the moment and focus on each game.
At a Glance:
Class/Division: Class: 6A (MAIS)
Head Coach: Ricky Black
Assistant Coaches: Nick Brewer, Rusty Burke, Marcus Thompson, Matt Butts, Jimmy Nix
2019 record: 10-3
Correction: Last week, in our story highlighting the Jackson Academy-Pillow matchup, due to a technical error the Keys to Victory and At A Glance information was incorrect.We apologize for the mistake.
