JACKSON — For Heritage Academy it’s about staying consistent.
For Copiah Academy it’s about not being afraid of the big stage.
The Patriots and Colonels will battle for the MAIS Class 5A championship at 3 p.m. Friday at “The Brickyard” at Jackson Academy.
Second-seeded Heritage Academy (12-1) will be seeking a second title in three years and fourth overall. The Patriots had expected to get another shot at Leake Academy, the only team to beat them this season, but the Rebels were surprised by Copiah Academy in the semifinals.
“Does feel good to be back here. Last year we made it further than I thought with such a young bunch,” Heritage Academy coach Sean Harrison said. “This is a physical team we’re playing Friday, so we have to be consistent.”
The Patriots again will lean on the potent offense that averages 34.8 points per game led by junior four-star quarterback Mack Howard. Howard’s long list of weapons includes running backs Eli Dement and Luke Fisher and receivers Trey Naugher, Mitchell Woodard and Wesley Miller.
Defensively, Heritage is allowing 13.8 points per game and has been consistent all season, led by Dement and Fisher at linebacker with Naugher, Woodard and Miller in the secondary.
“Mack, like he is every week, has to go in and be sharp,” Harrison said. “Number one thing is we’ve got to protect. They’re a very aggressive defense that blitz a lot and play a 3-4 style. They also play man-to-man coverage, and that’s the first time we’ve seen that style all year and will be something we have to work on this week.
“Defensively, we’ve got to get off blocks and tackle. They are a physical running team.”
Heritage Academy defeated Starkville Academy (31-12) and Oak Forest Academy (28-21) to get to the title game.
Fourth-seeded Copiah Academy (10-2) is in the title game for the first time since 2006, which is the last time they won the title, and also is seeking a fourth title overall.
The Colonels are averaging 33.5 points per game and will be anchored by a potent rushing attack led by quarterback Wyatt Albright along with running back John David Weed and fullback Garrett Beasley.
Defensively, Copiah gives up 16 points per game, led by Beasley at linebacker along with defensive ends Nick Anderson and Devon McKenney.
“The last two games the ball has bounced our way and we’re catching some breaks, so we hopefully can get that this week,” said Copiah Academy coach Billy Wayne Hankins, whose team Bayou Academy (26-21) and top-seeded Leake Academy (33-21) to reach the title game. “It’s simple. We have to slow them down a little on offense, and then we have to keep the ball away from them.
“We’ll have trouble matching up with them and reducing the number of big plays, so we will see how that goes.”
This will be the first meeting between Heritage Academy and Copiah Academy.
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