When it comes to playoff football, the goal each week is simple: win and advance. It doesn’t matter if you win by one point or 50 points, there are no style points or statements to be made. Although when you look at the matchups this week in the MAIS Class 6A Semifinals, there are some very intriguing story lines. Here’s a look at the remaining bracket:
(1) Jackson Prep vs (4) Jackson Academy
(2) MRA vs. (3) Hartfield Academy
Jackson Academy (9-3) at Jackson Prep (10-0)
The Raiders looked sluggish for the first three quarters in their first-round game last week against Presbyterian Christian but squeaked out a 24-20 win at home in the Brickyard. That now sets up a rematch with rival Jackson Prep on Lakeland Drive with a spot in the championship on the line.
These two met back in the regular season on September 13 to open district play and Prep handily beat JA 35-10. Prep Head Coach Doug Goodwin saw his team play a focused and solid game that night.
“We had a great gameplan from (defensive coordinator) Coach Brewer and the defense executed it very well, especially up front,” said Coach Doug Goodwin. “Our goal was to stop the run and make them one dimensional. They made a quarterback change that night to Pruett James, who has gotten better every week since then. We expect to see a different team this time around.”
James has matured since then throwing for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns to just four interceptions. The Raiders are also healthier on the offensive line this time with Caden Moss returning from injury. At 6’4, 240 pounds, the sophomore is a difference maker in opening holes for running back Omarean Ellis who was limited to just 49 yards on nine carries in September. JA is a run first offense that sets up the passing game as they’ve run for 2,400 yards and scored 27 touchdowns this season. Ellis is the key to success as he’s run for 1,235 yards and been complemented by Kingston Mays with 732.
“Our offensive line was banged up that first time around,” said Coach David Duggan. “Having Moss back is huge. We’ve re-established our identity and running the ball much better. We are playing better as a whole on both sides of the ball.”
The Patriots had an unbelievable balanced offensive attack in game one. Senior quarterback Billy Puckett completed 16 of his 20 passes for 243 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. Puckett spread the ball around to seven different receivers with John Ed Maddux leading the way with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Major Quin had five catches as well for 71 yards and a touchdown along with Gardner Young who had two grabs for 56 yards and a score. The Patriots running attack was equally potent as they ran for 223 yards on 30 carries and scored twice. Cole Gideon rolled up 78 yards on seven carries but is not available this time after breaking his foot in the Patriots game against Hartfield. Prep will lean on the legs of Thomas Hewitt Oswalt and Puckett who have accounted for 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns.
“We had a bad defensive gameplan in that first game and I take full responsibility for that,” said JA Head Coach David Duggan. “We are definitely going in with a better strategy this week.”
The Patriots jumped out to a 21-0 first half lead in that first game, but turned the ball over three times in critical situations. Coach Goodwin is certainly using that as motivation to clean things up.
“We can’t assume anything or take anything for granted. We had success before, but that was in the early going,” said Goodwin. “We have to emphasize that they’ve gotten better each week. There is a chance for us being a little rusty coming off the bye week, but I’m confident in our preparation.”
Jackson Prep could feel a bit of pressure this week as the Patriots, with an undefeated record of 10-0, are the favorites. The X-factor is that the Raiders have nothing to lose and the longer the game stays close may give them an advantage.
“If we can get to the 4th quarter and be in the game, I really like our chances. It’s gonna be a fun game,” said Coach Duggan.
Hartfield (10-2) at Madison-Ridgeland Academy (9-2)
The other semifinal has Hartfield Academy, the defending state champions, traveling to Madison Ridgeland Academy. The Hawks made easy work of Madison St. Joseph Catholic in the opening round with an impressive 56-7 win.
Hartfield and MRA had an old-fashioned shootout back on October 11 that saw the Patriots prevail 44-35. It was a very balanced gameplan from MRA with junior quarterback Samuel Stockett throwing for 284 yards and four touchdowns. Junior Will Jones turned up the heat with four catches for 143 yards. Senior wideout Jack Polles made the most of his four catches by scoring three touchdowns. The Patriots also rushed for 241 yards, led by senior D.J. Watkins who dashed for 121 yards on 10 carries and scored once.
On the flip side, Hartfield was forced into a one-dimensional air attack. Senior quarterback Cayman Tapper threw for 321 yards and four touchdowns, but also had two interceptions. Junior wide receiver Bralan Womack was unstoppable. While Womack had just four catches, he turned them into 209 yards and four scores. You can bet MRA is going to do their best to try and limit Womack this Friday.
The Hawks are out to defend their first-ever state title, but it’s going to be a tough test to try and slow down the MRA offensive machine. All signs point to this being another high-scoring game with the winner, perhaps, being the last offense with the ball. One thing is for sure, don’t plan on leaving this game early.
MHSAA Playoffs:
Over in the MHSAA, both Madison Central and Ridgeland have first round playoff games on Friday night.
Desoto Central (6-4) at Madison Central (8-2)
A pair of Jaguars will meet to open up the 7A playoffs. Madison earned a home game as the second seed from Region 2. They play host to Desoto Central, the third seed from Region 1. The offense for Madison Central runs through senior Glen Singleton. The shifty, yet powerful back has averaged 140 yards a game for a total of 1,409 yards and 21 touchdowns. Quarterback Jaiden Johnson has done a nice job of keeping defenses honest when they try to stack the box to stop Singleton. Johnson is completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,206 yards and nine touchdowns. He has two terrific targets in Zadarran Hart and Micah Jones that have combined for 58 catches, 822 yards and eight scores.
Desoto Central is led by dual threat quarterback Eric Perry Jr. The junior signal caller leads the team in rushing with 773 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with 800 yards passing. The purple Jaguars have run for 2,490 yards and scored 27 touchdowns this season. Madison has a stingy defense that is set up to stop the run. Look for Myles Miller, Avery Johnson and Korey Robinson to wreak havoc on the Desoto offensive line.
Ridgeland (6-4) at South Panola (8-2)
The Titans finished as the third seed in Class 6A Region 2 and will travel to take on the Tigers from Region 1. Ridgeland closed out the regular season with a resounding 42-22 win over Vicksburg last Friday and has won three out of its last four. The Titans will lean on the Wing-T to wear down the Tigers. As a team, they’ve rushed for 3,127 yards and are led by senior running back Cornelius Caraway who has 189 carries for 1,167 yards and scored nine touchdowns.
South Panola also has a dangerous ground game that has rolled up 2,503 yards and put up a whopping 26 touchdowns. They are led by dual threat quarterback Tristan Colenberg who has run for 786 yards and thrown for 919 yards. Running back Anderrious Flowers leads all carriers with 148 rushes for 816 yards and 12 touchdowns.
