CANTON — The Heritage Academy football team closed the regular season with a 28-14 victory against Canton Academy in a Mississippi Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) Class AAA, District 2 game Friday night.
Heritage Academy (8-2, 3-1) earned a second-place finish in the district. The Patriots earned the No. 6 seed in the 16-team Class AAA playoffs announced Saturday morning. Four wins will be necessary to win a state championship.
Heritage Academy will play host to Central Private School in its playoff opener Friday night.
“Fired up for the opportunity,” Heritage Academy coach Sean Harrison said. “Really proud that this young team found a way to finish 8-2. We had a lot of sophomores grow up. We had some upperclassmen with not a lot varsity experience. Those players stepped up and allowed us to have a good season.”
Heritage Academy was playing for the first time since a 17-14 home loss to Starkville Academy. The Volunteers scored in the final minute and turned that win into the district championship thanks to a 21-13 victory against Leake Academy.
“Really proud we put that loss behind us,” Harrison said. “We don’t talk about district championships around here, we talk about state championships. After the loss, we reminded the guys all of our goals were still within reach. It was critical we finished with a win, so we could get the highest seed possible.
“Now, we move to the playoffs and the guys are excited about this opportunity.”
Carter Putt threw for 250 yards to lead the Patriots. Putt’s top target was Jared Long, who had six receptions for 200 yards. Putt found Long for two touchdowns. He also scored on quarterback keeper.
Dontae Gray again led the way with 175 rushing yards, including a 25-yard touchdown.
“Wanted to see how we were going to respond early in the game,” Harrison said. “That was my concern. Carter really had a great night through the air, and Jared really had a great game, as well. Hopefully, we can continue to show that kind of balance.”
On defense, Harrison said his linebackers led the way. Josh Neal, John Henry Fields, Parker Ray, and Judd Murphy were credited with strong performances.
n Starkville 56, Murrah 0: At Jackson, the Yellow Jackets won their seventh-straight game to move within a win of clinching the Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A, Region 2 championship.
Starkville (9-1, 5-0) has qualified for the playoffs and can clinch home-field for a first-round playoff game and the region’s top seed by beating Warren Central on Friday on the road or Clinton on Nov. 3 at home.
“We talked about starting fast,” Starkville coach Chris Jones said. “At this time of year, you really would like some games where starters don’t have to go all the way. We got a lot of our younger guys some playing time. We challenged the veterans to come out and play well from the start. We were able to do that.”
Starkville scored on all six first-half possessions and led 42-0 at halftime. The Yellow Jackets collected 442 yards on 14 first downs.
Rodrigues Clark started the scoring with touchdown runs of 2 and 9 yards in the first quarter and 73 yards in the second quarter. Malik Brown then scored on a 47-yard run.
Luke Altmyer hit Cameron Hines for a 41-yard touchdown pass before KJ Lawrence scored on a 1-yard on the final play of the half.
The teams played with a running clock in the second half. Altmyer hit Cameron Eichelberger on a 63-yard touchdown pass. Freshman Amariyon Howard capped the scoring with an 8-yard touchdown run.
Clark had seven rushes for 104 yards. Malik Brown carried twice for 53 yards.
Altmyer was 7-for-8 for 157 yards, while Brown was 5-for-7 for 83 yards. Rufus Harvey had two catches for 70 yards, while Eichelberger had his 63-yard catch and Cameron Hines had two catches for 50 yards.
“The good news is with a game like this you can try some new things,” Jones said. “We put some things on film that other teams can look at as they get ready to play us in the playoffs. You also need depth, so you get a few younger guys playing time and see if they can help you in the playoffs. Really pleased at our start to region play but a challenging two games ahead.”
On defense, Jacob Williams led the way with nine tackles, while Zach Edwards had six. Jaylan Ware, Derek Gandy, and Atavius Jones had five. The Yellow Jackets had nine tackles for loss and didn’t force a turnover.
Starkville will play Friday night at Warren Central (6-3, 3-2) in another region game.
“With Warren Central and Clinton left on the region schedule, that’s a good situation,” Jones said. “You want to play some good teams at the end so you can have some confidence going into the playoffs.”
n Marshall Academy 21, Oak Hill Academy 0: At Holly Springs, the Raiders dropped their final game of the regular season in MAIS Class AA, District 1 play.
“The kids played hard against a very good Marshall team,” Oak Hill Academy coach Chris Craven said. “The defense stood tall. We were down 6-0 at the half. We allowed one score in each of the final two quarters. The offense just couldn’t put together drives that produced points.
“I am very proud of our guys effort this season.”
Oak Hill Academy (6-3, 2-2) secured a return to trip to the MAIS playoffs by earning a No. 9 seed when the brackets were announced Saturday morning. Oak Hill Academy will play Friday at Tri-County Academy in a first-round game.
“Making a return to the playoffs is big for the program,” Craven said. “Our seniors have led the way. The whole team has worked very hard and done all that we have asked them to do. Competing in the playoffs is a testament to the heart, character, class, and hard work this team has shown throughout the season.
“Our district was the only one in Class AA with five teams and all five made the playoffs. We are proud of our achievement but we aren’t done yet. We plan come out prepared to play and ready to compete for four quarters Friday night.”
n Deer Creek School 35, Columbus Christian 0: At Arcola, the Rams fell in a battle for first place in the MAIS Class A, District 2 race.
Columbus Christian (1-6, 1-1) can still secure second place in the district with a win Friday at Strider Academy in the final district game for both teams.
The Class A playoffs begin Nov. 3.
n Noxapater 29, West Lowndes 0: At Noxapater, the Panthers dropped their seventh-straight game with this setback in MHSAA Class 1A, Region 3 play.
West Lowndes (1-7, 0-6) was held to 105 yards. The Panthers also saw senior wide receiver Quinshawn Lucious suffer a broken hand.
Noxapater (7-2, 5-1) remained tied with French Camp Academy for second place in the region race with two weeks remaining. The Tigers led 21-0 at halftime.
West Lowndes will play host to Ethel (0-9, 0-7) in the final home game of the season Friday night.
n French Camp 42, Hamilton 0: At Hamilton, the Lions suffered a critical MHSAA Class 1A, Region 3 loss in the hunt for a playoff berth.
French Camp (6-3, 5-1) scored on all six first-half possessions and led by the final score at halftime.
Hamilton (4-5, 3-3) slipped into a two-way tie for fifth in the region standings with two games remaining. The top four teams from the region advance to the playoffs.
Hamilton will play Friday at Leake County (5-4, 3-3) in another region game.
n Houston 57, Aberdeen 34: At Aberdeen, the Bulldogs lost a slugfest in MHSAA Class 3A, Region 4 play.
Entering the final week of the regular season, Aberdeen (5-5, 2-2) is tied for third in the region. Aberdeen will need to beat South Pontotoc (7-3, 1-3) at home Friday or get some help to make the playoffs. If they qualify, the Bulldogs know they will be on the road in the first round Nov. 3.
Houston (6-3, 3-1) rushed for 625 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Urriah Shephard (14 rushes, 232 yards, three touchdowns) led the way, followed by Quenton May (16 rushes, 179 yards, two touchdowns), and Bobby Townsend (eight rushes, 159 yards, touchdown). Shephard also threw for 112 yards and another score.
Aberdeen held a 22-20 halftime lead. Quarterback Fred Fields had 197 yards. Fields threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two scores. Isaiah McMillian caught both touchdowns, including a 15-yard reception for the halftime lead.
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