Expectations are rising with every win for top-ranked Heritage Academy. The Patriots are undefeated with seven wins in as many weeks, and they want to stay that way.
“Obviously you want to end with that zero on the right side,” coach Sean Harrison said.
So when the Patriots face an out-of-state opponent, as they will Friday when Tuscaloosa Academy comes to town, an unfamiliar foe can up the pressure.
“It’s always hard when you don’t know what to compare them to as far as how good the different teams they’re playing are,” Harrison said. “I think they do a really good job offensively … They’re tough to defend.”
The 5-2 Knights may have a good offensive attack, but few teams rival Heritage Academy in that regard. Tuscaloosa Academy has a solid secondary, Harrison said, so receivers Banks Hyde and Jared Long will have to step up.
“I think Banks and Jared know they’re gonna have to work a little harder than they normally do to get open, and that’s something we need to see and need to get work again,” Harrison said.
If the Pats can hold their own on defense and hit a few big plays on offense, 8-0 isn’t far out of reach.
“I think as long as our guys can go out and execute, we’ll be OK,” Harrison said.
New Hope (2-4) vs. Lake Cormorant (3-2)
New Hope’s players are disappointed after a 2-4 start and last week’s home loss to Columbus, Trojans coach Wade Tackett said. They’re frustrated, too. But they’re not done yet.
“The kids haven’t quit, which is a good thing,” Tackett said. “They still want to come out every day and get better.”
The Trojans have a chance to prove themselves in a critical home district game against Lake Cormorant, which Tackett said is probably the most complete team New Hope has faced to date.
“We’re expecting a really well-coached team,” Tackett said. “Really good players at every position.”
New Hope has been in position to pull out close games several times but hasn’t done well. So Tackett knows what it’ll take to finally finish out key games, including Friday’s.
“It’s gonna have to be on our part a mistake-free ballgame,” Tackett said. “We can’t allow penalties and turnovers to hurt us again. We’re gonna have to make some stops on defense.”
West Point (5-1) vs. Saltillo (1-5)
Friday’s home matchup with Saltillo (1-5) means that for the first time this season, West Point is playing a team that isn’t either in Class 6A or ranked in its own class.
But that certainly doesn’t change how coach Chris Chambless and the Green Wave will prepare for it.
“We treat each week the same,” Chambless said. “We want to get better every week and perform at our best. We don’t want to take a step backwards.”
Chambless knows the Tigers are still a division opponent and that it would be unwise to overlook them.
“They’ve got athletes in some spots that can hurt us,” Chambless said. “I know it’s all about matchups, and they can give us some bad matchups that could present a challenge for us.”
But if West Point can do the same three things that have led it to a 5-1 start and the No. 2 overall ranking in the state, the Green Wave should come out with a win.
“Block well and tackle well,” Chambless said. “Can’t turn it over.”
Starkville Academy (5-1) at Pillow Academy (5-1)
For Starkville Academy coach Chase Nicholson, last week’s top-five matchup between Heritage Academy and Pillow Academy meant more than just a film study.
Pillow, whom the Volunteers face Friday on the road, lost 26-13 to Heritage for the Mustangs’ first loss of the season, and in the game, Nicholson saw something to look forward to.
“They’re simply a great team playing another great team, and we just want to go out there and be one of the great teams with them,” Nicholson said.
The Vols can do that by notching their sixth straight win Friday in what Nicholson knows will be an exciting, physical game.
“They’re a really great team, and we know that if we go out there and lay an egg, they can beat us,” Nicholson said. “But if we go out there and play the way we’re capable of playing and do what we’re supposed to do, it’s gonna be a really great night for everybody involved.”
Noxubee County (3-3) vs. Houston (5-1)
Noxubee County coach Teddy Young said his team plays a tough schedule to prepare itself for district play, but district play arrives Friday, and the schedule isn’t getting any easier just yet.
The Tigers, who have lost three straight after a 3-0 start, will host Houston, the No. 3 team in Class 3A, on Friday.
“They’re a very athletic team,” Young said. “They play good, hard-nosed defense. They gang tackle. They get off the ball pretty good. They’re a big team, physical, and a good matchup.”
The Hilltoppers are coming off their first loss of the season last week, a 38-14 loss to Itawamba Agricultural, so there is a formula for a Noxubee County win.
Young said the Tigers must take care of the ball, shut down a strong Houston running game and, as always, win in the trenches.
“To win in the district games, gotta win in the trenches,” Young said.
West Lowndes (6-1) at French Camp Academy (1-5)
Depth will be a key factor on both sidelines when West Lowndes hosts French Camp Academy on Friday.
West Lowndes coach Anthony King said French Camp is much better than its 1-5 record might suggest but doesn’t possess the depth that his team has.
“They’re well coached, and they’ve got good ballplayers,” King said. “They just don’t have any depth, so their guys are going both ways.”
West Lowndes’ own depth will be tested Friday, as the host Panthers have a few players “nicked up.”
“Our depth is not what we’re hoping it would be,” King said. “It’s gonna be a tough game.”
Theo DeRosa reports on Mississippi State sports for The Dispatch. Follow him on Twitter at @Theo_DeRosa.
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