From Special Reports
LOUISVILLE — The dream matchup is now set.
Heritage Academy will play host to Starkville Academy Friday night with the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 title hanging in the balance.
Each school enters the game at 7-1 overall and 2-0 in district play.
Heritage Academy defeated Winston Academy 28-7 Friday night.
“It was a good win,” Heritage Academy coach Sean Harrison said. “We tried some new things on offense. Defense was solid again. I really like how we played, getting another big road win inside the district.”
One new offensive wrinkle was using Moak Griffin at quarterback while working out of the wildcat formation.
Griffin ran for 100 yards with a pair of touchdowns. Dontae Gray added a 75-yard touchdown run and also caught a 60-yard touchdown on a screen pass from Carter Putt. Putt attempted five passes in the contest.
“You really want to put some new things together as you get ready for the playoffs,” Harrison said. “Moak really did a fine job for us. Our offensive execution was good.”
On defense, Lex Rogers had another interception, giving him five in two weeks. Clay Walters and Eli Acker also led the defense with a pair of tackles for loss apiece.
Now, the rivalry game is up next. Harrison said the game is meaningful on multiple levels, with the possibility of a No. 2 seed in the Class AAA playoffs on the line.
“Aside from the rivalry, there is a lot to play for,” Harrison said. “We told the guys last night that they had worked hard to be in this position. This game will be fun, because they are having a great season, too.
“When you play for the district championship, you want to get their best and you hope they get our best. It will be a great game to see. Our kids are excited about this opportunity.”
Heritage Academy will end the regular season the following week with a district game at Canton Academy.
Starkville Academy 38, Canton Academy 0: At Canton, the Volunteers won their fifth straight to do their part to set up Friday’s showdown with Heritage Academy.
Starkville Academy (7-1, 2-0) scored on their first two possessions with Noah Methvin hitting Raegan Richardson from 17 yards out and later from 10 yards out.
“We have not started well the last couple of games,” Starkville Academy coach Chase Nicholson said. “The defense has been lights out so we have been able to overcome the slow starts.
“We challenged the guys to have a good first quarter and I thought they really responded to that.”
A 24-yard field goal by Cameron McKee ran the advantage to 17-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Methvin scored on a 3-yard run, while Will Miller scored on a 5-yard run and Taylor Arnold scored on a 3-yard run.
Starkville Academy posted its third shutout in four games.
“Sam Clark had a big game from his corner position,” Nicholson said. “He had an interception and a couple of pass breakups. Will Miller, Matt Miller, Kyle Faver. They have been solid every week.
“Willie Latham had a big night. Taylor Arnold had an interception, while Ben Guest had a couple of pass breakups
“This is why our defense is having such a great season. So many different players play a part.”
Now, Starkville Academy turns its thought to the rivalry game at Heritage Academy.
“We each have the same record and there is so much to play for,” Nicholson said. “You can’t ask for more in football than that. We are looking forward to playing a great football team. We treat each game like it’s a big game.
“However, we know how important the next game is. There will be a lot on the line. It has never been easy, so we know the week ahead won’t be either.”
After the Heritage Academy contest, Starkville Academy closes district play on Oct. 20 when Leake Academy comes to J.E. Logan Field in Starkville.
Mooreville 20, Caledonia 19: At Caledonia, the Confederates dropped a heart-breaker in MHSAA Class 4A, Region 2 play.
Caledonia (0-7, 0-2) plays at Pontotoc (7-1, 2-0) in region play Friday night.
Choctaw County 47, Aberdeen 16: At Ackerman, the Bulldogs dropped their first Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 3A, Region 4 contest of the season.
Aberdeen actually held a 16-14 lead before Choctaw County reeled off the final 20 points of the first half for a 34-16 halftime lead. The Chargers would add an offensive score and defensive score to put the contest away in the second half.
For Aberdeen (4-4, 1-1), Fred Fields scored on touchdown runs of 9 and 8 yards. The Bulldogs were hurt by four turnovers.
Choctaw County (5-2, 2-0) finished with 354 rushing yards. Amerious Brown led the way with 174 rushing yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
Aberdeen plays at Hatley (4-4, 0-2) in another region game Friday night.
Nanih Waiya 54, West Lowndes 0: At Nanih Waiya, the Warriors scored 42 first-half points and rolled to victory in MHSAA Class 1A, Region 3 play.
West Lowndes (1-6, 0-5), which suffered its sixth straight defeat, will play at Noxapater (5-2, 3-1) on Oct. 20 in another region game.
Columbus Christian Academy 23, Delta Streets Academy 8: At Columbus, the Rams erased a second-half deficit for their first victory of the season in Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class A, District 2 play.
“It has been a long time coming,” Columbus Christian coach Greg Watkins said. “Proud of the kids for continuing to work hard. This was our first district game of the season, so we still have the district championship on our mind.”
Columbus Christian (1-5, 1-0 district) built a 7-0 halftime lead on a 6-yard touchdown run by Nate Park and PAT kick by Glenn Misiak.
In the third quarter, the Rams took the lead on a 37-yard field goal by Misiak.
The lead was expanded on the final play of the quarter as Parker hit Lawson Studdard on a 40-yard touchdown pass.
In the fourth quarter, Studdard had a big interception setting up the Rams’ last score.
After that takeaway, Parker hit Dakota Shaw for a 25-yard pass play down to the 5-yard line. Jordan Meek then had a 5-yard touchdown run with Misiak kicking the PAT to finish the scoring.
Meek then had the final big play for the hosts with an interception to seal the win.
“We had a great night on defense,” Watkins said. “The big thing was when we got down in the third quarter, we kept working hard. We put some things together on offense and came back. That was big for this team.”
Columbus Christian will play host to Lee Academy (Arkansas) Friday night.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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