The Jackson Academy football team proved why Friday it is the top-ranked private school squad in the state, according to The Clarion-Ledger and The Associated Press.
The visiting Raiders (6-0) dominated every aspect and made few mistakes in a 42-0 victory against Heritage Academy.
Jackson Academy scored two touchdowns in each of the first two quarters, and added lone scores in the third and fourth to earn its fourth shutout of the Patriots in 10 meetings.
“They were pretty sharp tonight,” Jackson Academy coach David Sykes said. “We executed very well. We have been working extra hard these past couple of weeks and we saw some of that tonight.”
Jackson Academy moved the ball at will in the first half. The Raiders scored on four of their five possessions (three touchdown passes, one rushing scorer).
“They are predominantly a running team,” Heritage Academy coach Brad Butler. “But they broke out the passing game on us tonight, and it worked very well. They are a good football team. Looking at the film no one player sticks out. They are solid all the way through.”
The Raiders held true to form. After Chris Young scored the first points on a 2-yard run, Jackson Academy quarterback Hull Bolls and wide receiver Craig Edgecombe hooked up on a 48-yard touchdown pass late in the first period. They added scoring strikes from 28 and 17 yards in the second frame to help the Raiders build a comfortable lead.
Jackson Academy took a 35-0 lead in the third period despite running only three offensive plays after Blake Weir returned a punt 87 yards for a touchdown.
Payton Wood added a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter for the final margin.
Jackson Academy limited Heritage Academy to 152 yards. Brandon Bell led the Patriots with 43 yards on 15 carries.
“They are the No. 1 team in the state,” said Heritage Academy wide receiver Cade Lott, who caught two passes for 17 yards. “They are good and didn’t make any mistakes. We were unable to capitalize on a couple of good drives early in the game.”
Lott said the Patriots (2-4) will need to put things together in practice before the play host to division rival Magnolia Heights next Friday.
“We have just been going through the motions in practice,” he said. “We need to come in here Sunday and watch the game film and figure some things out. We need to have better practices and have more intensity.”
Jackson Academy will play at Lee Academy in another division game next week. The win was the Raiders’ 10th in a row against the Patriots. They have won 27 of their past 28 games.
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