JACKSON – For Heritage Academy, this week will be one that lasts a lifetime.
Heritage will face defending champion Parklane Academy on Friday night at 7 p.m. at Jackson Academy for the MAIS Class 4A, Division II state championship.
“It’s been a really good season for us. Like everyone else coming into the season they love their team, but the schedule we played really helped us get to this point,” said Heritage Academy coach Tobias Smith. “Parklane is a really good team. They have depth and got guys that can run, athletic, big on the offensive and defensive line, so they can line up and do whatever they want to do.”
The Patriots (10-2) come into the matchup averaging 32.5 points per game through an offense anchored by quarterback Joshua Tate, Austin Peay commit and receiver Xzavier Webber and receiver Chris Willis.
Defensively, Heritage gives up 20.8 points per game and leans on Central Arkansas commit and defensive end Dallas Davis along with Webber and Willis in the secondary.
“We got to be fast on defense and tackle well,” Smith said. “Offensively, we got to stay ahead of schedule, don’t get behind the chains and don’t turn the ball over.”
The Pioneers (10-1), who won the MAIS Class 5A state championship last season, will head into the matchup averaging 35.5 points per game on offense, anchored by quarterback Braxton Hughes, running back Tanner Kyzar along with receivers Davis Carruth, Brennan Ellison, and Dooley Copeland.
Defensively, Parklane only allows 9.3 points per game with a unit led by defensive end Telvin Jefferson, linebackers Nic Young and Jay Alldredge and defensive back Dooda Jackson.
“Heritage presents a lot of problems, they are very skilled, and big up front, so very well coached and very well schemed on both sides of the ball,” said Parklane Academy head coach Ron Rushing. “We haven’t put four quarters together as a team this year. They take a lot of shots down field, so we got to eliminate the explosive play with them defensively and contain the quarterback. Offensively, we got to get the ball to our playmakers and let them get in space.”
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