GREENWOOD — Heritage Academy football coach Sean Harrison kept waiting for the big stop.
Judd Murphy finally obliged.
Murphy intercepted a pass early in the fourth quarter that served as a springboard for Heritage Academy’s come-from-behind 42-38 victory against Pillow Academy in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) game Friday night.
The Patriots (4-1) erased a 17-point deficit in the final 7 minutes, 45 seconds.
“We just kept battling,” Harrison said. “We didn’t play well in the first half, and that is why we fell down big. It was just about blocking and tackling and making some stops. Proud we came all the way back and got the win.”
Carter Putt threw for 400 yards and six touchdowns. Jared Long, Moak Griffin, and Dontae Gray had two receiving touchdowns. Griffin, Gray, and Lex Rogers each topped 100 yards receiving.
The game-winning score was a 40-yard pass from Putt to Gray with 56 seconds remaining.
“We never could get the running game going,” Harrison said. “We probably had four run plays all night. Credit to the receivers for really stepping up. Carter was in a nice rhythm. We like to run the football. That is why we have done since I have been here. Fortunately, other things were working.”
After a difficult first half, Harrison liked his team’s chances despite a 10-point deficit.
“We just talked about tackling better,” Harrison said. “We really didn’t tackle anybody the entire night. To start the second half, they come out and score in like three or four plays. That was disappointing because we thought we were still in good shape at the half.
“Finally in the fourth quarter, we had a couple of big defensive stops on fourth downs. The interception (by Murphy) was really a big a play because they were in position take a 24-point lead.”
Harrison credited the play of John Henry Fields, Eli Acker, and Weston Lowery as being key to the defensive stops late.
Heritage Academy will play Friday night at Magnolia Heights.
n Starkville Academy 21, Magnolia Heights 0: At Senatobia, the Volunteers won their second-straight game with a shutout on the road.
“Our defense had a great night,” Starkville Academy coach Chase Nicholson said. “Anytime you pitch a shutout, you have had a good night. We forced some takeaways. The defense really played lights out. That gave us a chance to get some things going on offense. Overall, pleased we put some drives together and got a road win.”
After missing out on a couple of scoring opportunities in the first quarter, Starkville Academy (4-1) found the end zone in the second quarter. Noah Methvin hit Brady Richardson for a 10-yard touchdown pass.
Things stayed tight throughout the half.
Magnolia Heights (2-3) was turned away late in the half when Campbell Spivey intercepted a pass in the end zone in the final minute half to keep it 7-0 at halftime.
Starkville Academy expanded the lead on its first possession of the second half when Ben Owens hit William Wolfe for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Taylor Arnold capped the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown run with less than two minutes to play.
“On offense, we played better in the second half,” Nicholson said. “We should have opened things up earlier. We had some penalties and they cost us on a couple of drives. We did play hard and kept working at. We had a couple of nice drives in the second half.”
Spivey, Kyle Faver, and Howell Archer helped preserve the shutout. Archer had a fumble recovery to snuff another threat by the hosts.
“We have really had a tough five-game stretch to start the season,” Nicholson said. “I think that prepared us for district play. Everybody will be excited Monday. It will be a different week of practice. Everybody will be more focused and ready to go because this is what you play for.”
Starkville Academy will play host to Winston Academy in the MAIS Class AAA, District 2 opener Friday night.
n Oak Hill Academy 17, Carroll Academy 14: At Carrollton, the Raiders moved to 2-0 in MAIS Class AA, District 2 play with their third-straight win.
Grayson Easterling kicked a 30-yard field goal midway through the third quarter for OHA (3-1, 2-0). That score broke a 14-14 halftime tie and provided the game-winning points.
“Defensive coordinator Carl Middleton and the defense did another outstanding job,” Oak Hill Academy coach Chris Craven said. “The defense had to bend a little but never broke.
“We had several three-and-outs and a couple of goal line stands were really big.”
For the Raiders, John Carver Middleton hit Riley Tate for two touchdowns. A screen pass between the two went for 45 yards. They also hooked up for a 12-yard scoring connection.
“The offense is getting better each week,” Craven said. “They are beginning to produce more of the results we are looking for.
“It was a very physical game. We made some adjustments at halftime and did a great job of shutting them out in the second half.”
Oak Hill Academy will play Friday night at Wayne Academy.
n In another MAIS game played Friday night, Columbus Christian dropped a 30-3 decision to DeSoto School (Arkansas).
n In a Christian Football Association game played Thursday night, Victory Christian Academy dropped a 44-0 decision at East Memorial Academy.
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