Heritage Academy’s 2022 schedule is written in black marker in the top left corner of a whiteboard in the Patriots’ coaches’ office.
Head coach Lance Pogue knows his team might appear in a different font on its opponents’ slates.
“Heritage is somebody that people star on their schedules,” Pogue said. “We’re going to get everybody’s best shot every Friday.”
Pogue hasn’t had to be on Magnolia Lane long to realize that. The first-year Patriots coach spent the previous five seasons at Jackson Academy and was well aware of Heritage Academy’s state titles in 2019 and 2021.
And he’s taking an approach that seems to mirror the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” with his new squad.
“They’re championship caliber,” said Pogue, who led South Panola to five state titles in 10 seasons with the Tigers before stepping down to coach at JA. “What you do is try to maintain that and add to it. I’ve had experience in different roles with that. This is not a new experience for me.”
Nor was the 2021 Class 5A title a new experience for those around two years prior. Heritage Academy couldn’t put together an undefeated season this time around, but the Patriots bounced back from a late loss to Leake Academy to make a playoff run and defeat Copiah Academy for their fourth state championship.
The Patriots have made the state semifinals or better in each of the past four seasons.
And they’re hoping to extend that streak to five.
“We’ve been thinking about it all summer, and we’re just ready to get back out there,” senior wide receiver Trey Naugher said. “We’ve created a tradition here where we win every year, and we’re going to keep that tradition.”
Naugher credits the Patriots’ seniors back in 2019 with establishing that standard. A team led by current Ole Miss right guard Eli Acker, Central Arkansas wide receiver Jared Long and Northeast Mississippi Community College quarterback Carter Putt dominated all comers, going 14-0 and stomping rival Starkville Academy in the state title game.
“They started this whole thing, and we’re just going to keep building on it,” Naugher said. “It’s just really amazing what we’ve been able to accomplish the past couple years.”
The Patriots hope to continue that into 2022. Their schedule isn’t easy — it includes a rematch with Leake and a road game at powerhouse Jackson Prep — but Heritage Academy is ready to face just about anyone but itself.
“Until you actually play somebody, it’s hard to say, but I think we’re at the point where we need to go play somebody,” Pogue said. “You get to a point where you think you’ve done about all you can do against each other, and we’re about to that point.”
Heritage Academy will take the field for its Aug. 19 season opener without standout quarterback Mack Howard, who transferred to Oxford this spring. But Pogue and Co. have tabbed junior Jack Ketchum to replace Howard and expect big things from their new signal-caller.
“He’s going to be really good,” Naugher said. “He’s going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the MAIS this year.”
Heritage Academy also added Eupora transfer running back Jay Stevenson, who enters his junior season.
Pogue said it was hard to evaluate Stevenson prior to the Patriots’ home season opener Friday against Lamar School but was looking forward to getting Stevenson on the field.
“I’m excited to get him to the game next Friday and turn him loose and let him play,” he said Aug. 10.
Ketchum and Stevenson will team up with a host of experienced seniors, including Lane Goodman, Drew Kizer, Carson Hollis, Naugher and linebacker Luke Fisher.
With how many games they’ve won in their Heritage Academy tenures, becoming seniors won’t affect much leadership-wise, Fisher said.
“I don’t really think much changes except for another number next to our name,” he said. “Instead of 11, it’s 12.”
And maybe instead of four titles, it’ll be five — if Heritage Academy can play up to its potential. Pogue called every game the “Super Bowl” for each of the Patriots’ opponents.
“We’re not in a position to say, ‘OK, this week we may just relax a little bit,’” he said. “We’ve got to roll.”
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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