Our C-Spire Game of the Week will not be for the faint of heart. Something’s gotta give Friday night when Hartfield Academy travels to Madison Ridgeland Academy. These two titans bring in two of the highest scoring offenses in the state and two stingy defenses. Dominant is not a strong enough word to describe the Hawks play so far this season. In running out to a perfect 7-0 record, they have outscored their opponents 395-27. That’s an average of 56-4, although this week’s game will be their stiffest competition yet. MRA stands at 6-1 and has scored 341 points so far this year and given up 137, although 61 of those points were to #2 ranked Pulaski Academy out of Arkansas. The other six games, which included a 51-13 thrashing of Mississippi public school power Oak Grove, the Patriots average score is 43-12.
“I really like where we are right now. We’ve gotten better each and every week, especially on our offensive line,” said MRA Head Coach Herbert Davis. “Outside of Pulaksi, who is truly in a league of its own, I knew we could be very good defensively. If we can score points and this defense plays to its ability, our kids have the chance to do something special.”
Hartfield is the defending MAIS 6A Champions, a season that saw them go a perfect 14-0 and it has started this year at 7-0. The Hawks haven’t lost a game since the semi-final round in 2022 against Jackson Prep. This will be the first true test for them this season with MRA being the best opponent to date.
“Our kids have not played into the third quarter this year. It’s been a tough balancing act of wanting our starters to get reps, wanting to give all our guys some playing time and not embarrassing the other teams too bad,” said Coach Bowman. “We know this will our biggest test yet. I am a little concerned from a conditioning standpoint of our kids being able to play their best into the 4th quarter, something they have had to do. Coach Davis knows that, and I know he’s going to try and wear us out.”
MRA on the other hand has already been tested twice with monster games against Pulaski Academy and Oak Grove. The Patriots have played the tougher schedule and had their starters play much longer in games which should give them an advantage.
“I try and find us tough competition for our non-conference to get us ready for exactly this moment in region play,” said Coach Davis. That’s why we also play with tempo, it’s what we do and you hope it pays off.
The Patriots offense is all about the pass and junior quarterback Samuel Stockett is off to a scintillating start. Stockett has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1,704 yards and 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
Stockett does a terrific job of spreading the ball around as seven receivers have triple digits in yardage. The lion’s share has gone to junior Case Thomas who has 29 catches for 471 yards and six touchdowns. Just behind Thomas is junior Will Bizot who has 19 grabs for 348 yards, an 18 yards per catch average, and two scores. Seniors Jack Polles and DJ Watkins have combined for 379 yards and five touchdowns. The other dangerous weapons are junior Michael McCrory with 8 catches for 152 yards and three touchdowns, Senior AJ Parker with 2 catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, along with senior Jake McMillan with two catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. It’s a quick strike offense that can score from anywhere on the field with these receivers.
“Being able to use our backs in the passing game has been a big plus for us. They’ve accounted for 25 catches this year with nine against Oak Grove,” said Davis.
It will be up to the Hawks defensive line to try and neutralize Stockett. Bowman says it is no secret that the strength of the defense is his defensive line. It will be all about bringing pressure. Hartfield needs to make him feel uncomfortable in the pocket and not allow him to throw on time.
“If they get in a rhythm, it will be a long night, and we will be on our heels. If it’s blitzing or changing coverages, we want to make him uncomfortable. Maturity comes in big games, and (Stockett) has played two of them already,” said Bowman
While Coach Davis is known for his air raid offense, the Patriots can run the ball effectively for a change of pace. Junior Jaxon Jenkins has 27 carries for 267 yards and four touchdowns, junior Michael McCrory has 20 carries for 156 yards and a score and senior DJ Watkins has 25 carries for 130 yards and five touchdowns. Teams can’t completely sell out to rush the passer with this talented backfield.
“We try to mix that run in there. We don’t want to be dictated by the defense what we will run. We want to be able to dictate the plays and pace of play,” said Davis.
The Hawks offense is very balanced this year with great skill guys in the backfield and the edges. Senior quarterback Cayman Tapper has been on the mark completing 63 percent of his passes for 1,148 yards and tossed 18 touchdowns to just three interceptions. His top two targets are junior BJ Womack and senior Kenzy West. Womack is averaging 28 yards a catch with 16 grabs for 457 yards and six touchdowns. Right on Womack’s heels is West who also has 16 catches for 377 yards and six scores as well. The other receiver with double digit catches is sophomore Dylan Harris with 10 for 169 yards.
The ground game will play a huge role this week and the Hawks will lean on junior Kaden Catchings. Kaden averages 14 yards every time he touches the ball. For the season, he has 40 carries for 559 yards and 12 touchdowns. His other two backfield mates are a pair of sophomores who rotate in and out. Kingsley Gibbs and Ethan Elliott have combined for 486 yards on 62 carries and 10 scores. Keeping the Patriots defense honest with the run will be a huge key.
“We are very balanced. From an offensive standpoint we want to establish the run,” said Bowman. “We’ve been blessed with good backs and an offensive line that knows what we like to do and complement it with a passing attack.”
If last year is any indication of how this one will go, be prepared for a shootout. The Hawks got the better of the Patriots 63-56 on Hartfield’s home field. Folks coming this week should see a great show and one that could definitely take your breath away.
MRA KEYS TO VICTORY:
On Offense: Wear ‘em out. Tempo is everything and the goal is to not let the Hawks defense catch their breath. Look for Quarterback Samuel Stockett to keep on doing what he’s been doing, spread that ball around and the let the playmakers roll and neutralize that tough defensive front.
On Defense: Look for lots of pressure. Blitzes and disguising where they’re coming from can force mistakes that the Patriots will look to capitalize on.
MRA AT A GLANCE:
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
2024 Record: 6-1 overall, 1-0 in district
HAWKS AT A GLANCE:
Class/Division: Class: 6A District 1 (MAIS)
Head Coach: Craig Bowman
Assistant Coaches: Cody Saxton, Shane Schurb, Stuardt Saxton, Pack Toler, Bryan Pittman, Ricky Clark, Ryan Lindsey, Will Davis, Lee Dawkins, Collin Owens.
2024 Record: 7-0 overall, 1-0 in district
The Series: MRA leads 6-2
Last Match-Up: Hartfield won 63-56 in 2023 regular season.
