WEST POINT — The Oak Hill Academy football team’s confidence continues to rise.
But don’t think Oak Hill Academy coach Chris Craven is going to allow his players to bask in the glow of a four-game winning streak. The latest victory — a 20-8 decision against Class AAA Wayne Academy — enabled Class AA Oak Hill Academy (4-1) to post its longest winning streak since 2006, when it won five games in a row en route to a seven-win season.
Oak Hill Academy (4-1) will try to equal that mark at 7 p.m. Friday when it plays host to Columbus Christian Academy (0-4) in a non-district matchup.
“We really talk about staying humble and doing your job and doing your work,” Craven said. “We keep telling the guys that God exalts the humble and we need to stay that way.”
Oak Hill Academy controls its destiny at 2-0 in District 1. Victories against Winona Christian Academy and Carroll Academy have positioned Oak Hill Academy for a playoff run with district games against Central Holmes Christian and Marshall Academy remaining. The win against Wayne Academy should provide a boost because smaller classification teams earn more points for victories against larger schools in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS).
It’s easy to get caught up in all of the distractions of playoff permutations, but Craven said the coaches and players will continue to prepare like they have all season.
Part of that preparation includes film study and game planning by Craven and defensive coordinator Carl Middleton. Following a season-opening 27-21 loss to Newton County Academy, Oak Hill Academy posted shutouts against Strider Academy and Winona Christian Academy. Oak Hill Academy then edged Carroll Academy 17-14 in Carrollton to set the stage for a run at a district champion and an automatic berth in the Class AA playoffs.
The Raiders would welcome a return to the postseason after a two-win season in 2016. Prior to that, the Raiders advanced to the playoffs the last four years in a row.
Craven tried to recapture that magic in the offseason when he attempted to change the culture of the program. He enlisted the help of the players to identify things they thought were important for the team to represent. Through five games, Craven feels the players have bonded and are playing with toughness, which is something many of the players signaled was key to the program’s success.
“I have been able to sense a difference in them all season,” Craven said. “They play together. They have each other’s backs. If one of them messes up, they are there for them. If one of them does a good job, they are there for that, too. You can’t ask for much more than that.”
Craven said the “glue” that has allowed that mentality to stick stems in part from the death of Thomas Lee Bales in the offseason. Bales died Aug. 5 in a swimming accident at Smith Lake in Alabama. He also said the Raiders have “a desire to win” that has fueled their resurgence.
“They have a desire to do something special together,” Craven said. “I sense that from our players and our coaches, and everybody is trying to stay on that same page.”
Against Wayne Academy, quarterback John Carver Middleton threw a 40-yard touchdown pass. Ethan Bryan added a 15-yard touchdown run, while Grayson Easterling kicked two field goals. Craven said Wayne Academy scored on a “trick play” on its first series and didn’t score again. He said desire has helped the Raiders tackle better.
Craven hopes the winning streak will help keep the desire at a high level. If Craven needs to remind the players, he needs only to point to a sign with the word “Leadership” on it that hangs on the wall outside his office. He credits the players for buying into the team concept and the new mentality in the program this season.
“You can’t do the same things and expect better results,” Craven said. “That is true, but, at the same time, there is a lot to be said about commitment, being steady, doing the same thing, and repping your drills and doing your footwork. We’re just going to keep on the grind and stay humble. We’re just going to keep working and grind it out and see what can happen.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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