Sean Harrison has nearly everything back together at the right time.
The Heritage Academy football coach said in July that he liked the potential of the 2018 and that he hoped it could navigate a tough schedule and be playing its best football in time for the playoffs.
After bounding back from a two-game losing skid early in the season and overcoming a stretch with multiple players out with injuries, Harrison feels Heritage Academy is ready to start the second season.
“We have gotten just about everybody back and I really feel like we are playing our best football,” Harrison said. “The message is no Friday can be taken for granted because Monday we could just as easily be turning our stuff in as we can be practicing.”
The second season will begin at 7 p.m. Friday when No. 2 seed Heritage Academy plays host to No. 15 Lee (Miss.) Academy in the first round of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA playoffs at C.L. Mitchell Field.
The Patriots (8-2) earned the right to play at home throughout the playoff thanks in part to a 4-0 run through District 2. They also benefitted from Adams County Christian Academy having to forfeit games and dropping from one of the top five seeds as a district champion to the No. 14 seed.
Heritage Academy, which is riding a five-game winning streak, and ACCS could meet in the third round of the playoffs if both teams win their first two games. To do that, Harrison said Heritage Academy will need to build off a 21-7 victory against Starkville Academy two weeks ago that gave it the inside track to win the district title and a 49-26 victory against Canton Academy that helped it wrap up an outright championship.
Lee Academy (3-6) was the third seed in District 1 behind Indianola Academy, the No. 1 seed, and Bayou Academy.
The winner of the game between Heritage Academy and Lee Academy will take on the winner of the game between No. 7 Leake Academy and No. 10 St. Aloysius.
“Clarksdale Lee is a good team. They play in a tough district and have played a tough schedule,” Harrison said. “They’re a spread team with a split-four defense. I think we have had a good week of preparation.”
Harrison said an offense that features two talented receivers will present a challenge for his secondary. He said the return of junior Banks Hyde, who played a little against Starkville Academy before seeing more action against Canton Academy, will bolster a unit he feels will welcome the opportunity.
“Banks is a kid who has had really bad luck with injuries this season,” Harrison said. “He has begged to come back. I think he was mad at me after the Starkville game that I didn’t play him more than I did, and I love that. I love Banks. He works hard. He is another in that group that is out here every Sunday, even when he was injured and couldn’t do anything.”
Harrison said the Patriots also will welcome back Seth Harris and senior J.R. Lott, who has been out since early in the season after having ankle surgery. He said he isn’t sure how much Lott will play Friday night.
Harrison said the work junior quarterback Carter Putt has done with junior wide receiver Jared Long and a growing list of his teammates on Sunday has helped the offense build even more confidence.
Harrison said the return to health of three key players has the Patriots back over 30 available players, which will enable the coaches to give some rest at key junctures. He said the return of Hyde, Harris, and Lott has provided a boost to the team’s spirits.
In addition to an explosive passing attack, the Patriots have a running game led by junior Kelvin “K.J.” Smith and the threat of senior Moak Griffin, who can run out of a Wildcat package or catch passes. All of the weapons have Harrison, who missed practice Monday with the stomach flu, feeling good about his team’s chances.
“I don’t think they’re going to take anything for granted,” Harrison said. “They understand that no matter the opponent they have to play their best football each and every Friday night from here on out.
“We have gotten some tough draws the past two years, having to go to Indianola my first year and to ACCS last year. Hopefully the only road trip we will be taking this year is to Jackson (for the Class AAA State championship at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, at Jackson Academy).
“I feel like our side of the bracket has four of the five best teams, so if we get through Lee you’re looking at Leake or St. Al and then potentially Starkville or ACCS. I like it. If it is worth doing, it needs to be tough to do, so of we can go through these four weeks and do what we’re supposed to do, it will be well deserved.”
Follow Dispatch sports editor Adam Minichino on Twitter @ctsportseditor
Adam Minichino is the former Sports Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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