If the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools playoffs were a party, Oak Hill Academy coach Daniel Merchant would have sent in his reservation in a matter of seconds.
Oak Hill Academy returns to the postseason for the first time since 2009 at 7 tonight when it takes on North Delta Academy in an opening-round Class AA playoff game in Batesville.
“When the season started, the first goal we set was to make the playoffs,” Merchant said. “It is a great testament to these coaches and these kids that we were able to reach that goal. We are going up there and looking forward to competing.”
Oak Hill Academy (6-5) secured its first winning season since 2006 Friday with a 20-19 District 2 win against Immanuel Christian. With that victory, the Raiders secured a wild-card playoff berth. Oak Hill Academy enters the postseason on a three-game winning streak.
“When you get to the end of the season, you want to be playing your best,” Merchant said. “The games we won earlier this year carried over to the end of the year. Once the kids tasted success, they got hungry and wanted more.”
Oak Hill Academy had to rally to get into the playoffs. A 6-yard run by Drake Riley in the fourth quarter lifted the Raiders to the victory. After that, it was time to scoreboard watch. District rivals Winston Academy and Manchester Academy each had to lose to open the door for Oak Hill Academy.
“We feel fortunate the right things happened,” Merchant said. “The kids worked real hard to be in this position. Even when we lost three games in a row earlier this year, you saw a determination and a focus. You could tell the kids had a new mind-set and they weren’t going to let the season get away.”
North Delta Academy won the District 1 championship with an 8-2 record and 4-0 district mark. It enters the postseason on a six-game winning streak. Last season, North Delta Academy finished 10-2 and lost to River Oaks Academy in the second round of the playoffs.
West Point (8-2, 6-0) at New Hope (3-7, 1-5)
With the Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 5A, Region 1 championship already in the bag, West Point will try to stay sharp at 7 tonight in the regular-season region finale for both teams.
West Point won its sixth straight with Friday with a 35-21 victory against Oxford to nail down the region championship for the third time in four seasons. It most likely will play host to Callaway, Provine, or Neshoba Central in the opening round of the Class 5A playoffs Nov. 9.
“We want to keep working hard and finish the regular season on a strong note,” West Point coach Chris Chambless said. “We take the same approach in the last week as we do in the first week. It is all about us and finding ways to become a better team.”
West Point will look to build on the momentum from the Oxford game. The Green Wave ran the ball for 356 yards and rolled to a 35-14 halftime advantage.
“Oxford really hit us hard there early,” Chambless said. “I thought we did a great job of staying confident and executing our offense.”
West Point’s only two losses were non-region setbacks to South Panola (12-10) and Noxubee County (6-0). Each of those setbacks has helped shape the Green Wave into a title contender.
“We had some struggles early but we always believed in one another,” said West Point senior quarterback Tez Lane, who scored four times against Oxford. “Even when we lost, we did a great job of putting that game behind us and getting ready for the next opponent. We never look ahead. I think that we are playing like a championship team.”
New Hope is coming off back-to-back losses to Clarksdale (29-22) and Center Hill (41-0). The Trojans’ lone region victory came in an 8-7 decision against Lake Cormorant.
West Point won 56-20 last season.
Scott was sports editor for The Dispatch.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 41 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.