STARKVILLE — Rivalry games typically don’t need any added drama to make them more appealing.
That might be the case for the Heritage Academy-Starkville Academy matchup at 7 p.m. Friday in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 opener at J.E. Logan Field. But the Patriots’ high-powered offense and the Volunteers’ typically stingy defense adds a little spice to a rivalry that has seen the teams split the last 10 meetings.
Starkville Academy has won the last two games against Heritage Academy en route to 11- and 10-win seasons. The Patriots will try to snap that streak behind an offense that has scored 146 points in a three-game winning streak against Oak Hill Academy, Lee Academy, and Pisgah of the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA). Heritage Academy had 634 yards last week in a 56-49 victory against Pisgah. The win helped the Patriots earn back-to-back victories against teams that beat them in 2015.
“I like where we are,” Heritage Academy first-year head coach Sean Harrison said. “We are pretty healthy. We have got a lot in and building on things has been easier. Obviously, you want to win every game you play. Is it the end all be all? I don’t know, but we are showing up Friday night wanting to win that game very badly.”
Harrison anticipates a competitive game against a well-coached team that he said usually doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. He also said the Volunteers won’t use a hundred formations against opponents, but he said they are very good at what they do.
“Coach (Chase) Nicholson and coach (Brad) Butler have both done really good jobs with the offense and defense,” Harrison said. “They have an experienced staff and experienced kids, so it is going to be a great game. I am excited for our kids to have a chance to play in it.”
Harrison said he doesn’t want his players to get caught up in the hype and emotion of the rivalry. He said both teams know the winner will have an important advantage in the district opener. He hopes that adds to his team’s focus.
“We stress every week we don’t care who is lined up across from us and we need to execute what we need to execute,” Harrison said. “I know that is cliche, but our kids have done a really good job of it. They have taken care of business against the teams they were supposed to and they fought with the teams they were supposed to. I think we’re going to be OK. We have a mature group that hopefully won’t get caught up in the hype and will just go out and play their game.”
Nicholson credited Butler and assistant coach Bubba Davis for their work in helping the defense remain stout this season. Lamar School scored 40 of the 78 points Starkville Academy has allowed this season. The Volunteers surrendered 169 points in 12 games last season (a little more than 14 per game) and 123 in 13 games in 2014 (9.5 points per game).
Nicholson said quarterback Tyler Anderson, running back Dontae Gray, and the rest of Heritage Academy’s offensive weapons will put his defense to the test.
“They throw a lot of formations at you, but it is not overwhelming,” Nicholson said. “What they do well is they balance the run-pass well. They lean on the run because they are smart. That is what you have got to do. They throw the ball well enough that you have to respect that.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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