The smiles were back at Heritage Academy after a week’s hiatus.
Thanks to a strong second half last Friday, Heritage Academy rallied for a 27-16 victory against Leake Academy. The victory helped erase the sting of a 31-7 loss to Pillow Academy and provided a needed confidence boost for the stretch run.
On Friday, the challenge for Barrett Donahoe and the Patriots will be whether they can leave Starkville with similar smiles in what could turn out to be a playoff elimination game. Even though there are three regular-season games remaining, Heritage Academy’s game against Starkville Academy at 7 p.m. Friday figures to help sort out the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Class AAA, Division II, District 1 race.
“It is a tremendous challenge,” Donahoe said. “They are always going to be where they are supposed to be defensively. They play great assignment football. … There is a reason they have only given up 60-something points this year. It is the best defense we are going to face this year. We are going to have to fight, claw, scratch — do whatever we have to do — to put points on the board.”
Entering the game, Starkville Academy is in the driver’s seat at 7-1 and 2-0 in the division. With games against Magnolia Heights (6-2, 3-1) and Division I Madison-Ridgeland Academy remaining, a win would help Heritage Academy (5-4, 1-2) improve its chances of earning one of the division’s two playoff berths.
But Starkville Academy could present Heritage Academy with its toughest test of the season. The Volunteers have allowed only 64 points this season. They also will be plenty rested coming of a bye week following a 33-6 victory against French Camp Academy on Oct. 10.
Heritage Academy also has to feel it has momentum after it scored 20 points and gained 260 yards in the second half to beat Class AA Leake Academy. A 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Anderson to Michael Ledbetter provided the spark. From there, Anderson (15 carries, 53 yards) and Ledbetter (nine carries, 67 yards) helped fuel a ground game that allowed the Patriots to turn the tide.
“We told our guys stick to the plan and don’t get away from what we do,” Donahoe said. “I felt like once we got going against them we were going to move the ball well, and we did in the second half. The big pass play from Tyler to Michael sparked us. After that, we moved the ball at will against them.”
Donahoe believes his team will face an even tougher challenge from a stingy defense led by former Heritage Academy coach Brad Butler. He hopes Anderson, who is seeing more time at quarterback, can provide a running threat that balances the offense and that running backs like Ledbetter, Mattox Heredia, and Cayden Upton can share the load.
“I thought Anderson played good,” Donahoe said. “We are still struggling with post-snap reads when we try to extend the field in our passing game. We have to do a better job of that. He has to become more of a pocket guy. He wants to trust his feet more than he wants to trust his arm.”
Anderson is a perfect example of how the rivalry has changed in a year. Last season, Heritage Academy used its edge in experience to come away with a 14-10 victory. Starkville Academy has that advantage this year, so Donahoe is anxious to see how his players respond to what essentially is a playoff game — with two more to come in the regular season — that will help determine if the Patriots advance to the “real” postseason.
“I think we have done a lot of things to get better,” Donahoe said. “I think last week was a sign that we have done a lot of things to get better. It is going to be a challenge for our guys. To win championships in this league, you have to have a determined group of seniors, and it appears Starkville has that and they are very focused on what they have to do to get to Jackson.
“It is going to be a challenge for our young guys, but I think we’re going to go over there and give it all we got and see if we can come away with something special for our guys.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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