Jackson Academy opens the 2024 High School Football Season on Friday night in the heart of the Mississippi Delta against Bayou Academy in Cleveland in our first “Game of the Week.”
The Raiders have a new regime in place as they begin this football campaign. Head Coach David Duggan takes over the top spot to lead the Raiders, where he was defensive coordinator in 2022. Duggan comes back to JA after spending last season in the college ranks as defensive coordinator at Kent State University.
“I really enjoyed my time here in 2022. The people and quality of life here are unmatched. I want to make a difference in the lives of these young men,” said new Head Coach David Duggan. “I was influenced by high school coaches, and I want to hopefully do the same for these guys.”
Duggan says he is bringing a unique perspective of what it takes for his players to play at the next level and wants them to prepare and understand how to be successful.
“When the lights go on it doesn’t matter if it’s Alabama or the Brickyard, you’ve got to be focused on the task at hand. We are training for the tight games we will have to play in this great league,” said Duggan. “What separates the high school and college level is how hard you have to concentrate and how hard you have to play every snap. Physically kids are ready to play but mentally it’s different. We are trying to establish that here and how hard you have to focus in meetings and on the field. These kids have really responded and worked so hard this summer.”
Offensively, the Raiders have some great returning pieces. Coach Duggan wants to throw the ball, early and often. Junior quarterback Carter Mathison returns as the opening night starter. As a sophomore, Mathison completed 55 percent of his passes for 1,911 yards with 16 touchdowns to nine interceptions. While Mathison will start as the incumbent, Duggan says the QB job is still an open competition with sophomore Pruet James expected to see action in the opener with “quality snaps” as well.
No matter who is in at quarterback, their main job will be finding ways to get the ball in the hands of senior running back Omarean Ellis. He’s the 5’11, 190 pound sparkplug that will ignite the offense. Ellis carried the ball 133 times for 1,082 yards, and 13 touchdowns last year. Ellis has also worked hard on catching passes out of the backfield which makes him a very versatile threat.
“He (Ellis) can really make things happen if we can get him going. The question will be how do you get the ball in his hands,” said Duggan. Right now Sophomore Kingston Mays is second on the running back depth chart along with sophomore Aston Blackmon and potentially junior TJ White. At 6’3, 215 pounds, White has good speed and has played a little running back before. He is a multi-sport athlete as he plays both basketball and runs track, too.
When it comes to the wide receiver targets, senior John Thomas is the leading returner. Thomas hauled in 24 passes for 337 yards and two scores last year. Coach Duggan is counting on good production from sophomores Vaiden Taylor and Parker Orr, as well as junior Omari Johnson.
“We’ve got kids that can catch and throw. Ultimately how our offensive line does will dictate their success,” said Duggan.
Depth will be an issue on that offensive line and the Raiders will have to stay healthy. Junior Luke New will anchor the line at center. New is coming off a knee injury last year but has really shined in the off season. Senior Shamarye Lee at 6’2 250 pounds, and freshman PJ Evans, 6’3 305 pounds, will be formidable forces to be reckoned with to open holes and keep the pressure off the quarterback.
Defensively, the Raiders strength comes from the front four on the line, which has the potential to be arguably the best in MAIS. Junior defensive tackle Dereon Albert is back and a pure force. Albert stands 6’2, 295 pounds and recorded 20 tackles for loss, seven and a half sacks and a blocked kick in 2023. Dereon has offers from Ole Miss and Auburn, along with several other Division I schools to play college football. Senior Parker Halford and junior TJ White, both 6’3 and 215 pounds will bring speed from the edges. Freshman PJ Evans, 6’3, 305 pounds, is a wall that offenses will have to try to maneuver around. Evans played one game on the varsity level last year as an 8th grader. Look for senior Adonis Terry, 5’9, 260 pounds, to play on both the offensive and defensive lines. The Raiders will need several players to see action on both sides of the ball which will test their stamina, but Coach Duggan says he is confident with where they stand coming into the first game.
“Our commitment to strength and conditioning has really paid off. I’ve never seen a team work this hard during the summer. I believe we are fit and it will hopefully pay off in a 4th quarter,” said Duggan. “This is a very tight group. When we say ‘We need you here and they are like no problem coach, wherever you need me’. No hesitation. These guys are willing to sacrifice to do whatever the team needs.”
Bayou Academy, led by Head Coach Flip Godfrey, is coming off a 7-4 season overall, and 3-1 in MAIS Class 5A. The Colts lost to eventual 5A champion Adams County Christian School in the playoffs. It is an extremely young team with just 10 seniors on the roster. Jackson Academy beat Bayou a year ago in “The Brickyard” last year 27-8. This Week 0 game, an extra game that some teams choose to add to the schedule, will undoubtedly be a week of testing the new pieces for both teams. Coach Duggan is going into the opener with a mindset of laying a foundation.
“I have no idea how this is going to go, but I do know this is the foundation of having something built here that people want to be a part of. We are trying to do things that will affect your life after you leave us. We are building that culture and we will do that the right way. We have great coaches, great parents and a great administration that are fully behind us,” said Duggan. “I am having a lot of fun, I love this group. They are fun to be around and they work so hard.”
The excitement is always palpable for the first game of the season. Fans have high expectations and players all have championship aspirations. Both of those are true for Raider Nation this week, but for Coach David Duggan, like a new dad, it’s watching his youngsters take their first steps towards the future.
Keys to Victory for Jackson Academy:
On offense: The Raiders will show plenty of looks and try to spread the ball around. Running back Omarean Ellis will be who the Colts key on for sure, which should allow Carter Mathison to take some shots down the field.
On defense: JA’s strength is run stopping and putting pressure on the quarterback. If the Raiders force Bayou into 3rd and long, they’ll have a great chance to get off the field and send their offense back to work.
The Series: Jackson Academy leads 1-0.
Last Meeting: Jackson Academy won 27-8 in 2023.
AT A GLANCE
Jackson Academy:
Class/Division: Class 6A, District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 0-0 overall, 0-0 in district
Head Coach: David Duggan (1st year)
Assistant Coaches: Chase Alkire, Case Cook, Shay Hodge, Malcolm Rollins, Michael Turner.
Bayou Academy:
Class/Division: Class 5A, District 1 (MAIS)
Record: 0-0 overall, 0-0 in district
Head Coach: Flip Godfrey
Assistant Coaches: Bill Beck, Caleb West, Russ Smithers.
