C SPIRE GAME OF THE WEEK – Patriots vs. Chiefs

Madison Ridgeland Academy took the first step toward what it hopes will be a state championship season with a 42-20 win over Parklane Academy in last week’s season opener.

For Patriots head coach Herbert Davis, it was his first time back on the sidelines since winning a personal title, a new lease on life. Davis was hospitalized last August for two weeks with a heart problem and an infection, complications from a kidney disease he had battled for nearly a decade. In November, he learned he would receive a new kidney in a historic seven-way donor-to-recipient transplant program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. On December 11, he successfully received the new kidney and has not looked back with a new outlook on life.

“I’m so blessed and it feels really good,” said MRA head coach Herbert Davis. “I’ve lost 46 kilos, I feel great and all my tests come back fine. I have grown in faith and appreciate life much more. I’m definitely more patient than I was before.”

Davis says it was a humbling experience and one she doesn’t take for granted. This perspective is exactly what this year’s MPATs need as they grow into several new roles.

This week, the Patriots will travel to face 5A opponent Magnolia Heights Academy in Senatobia. The Chiefs won their opener with a 56-20 drubbing of North Delta Academy.

Coach Davis patiently watched as his new quarterback, junior Samuel Stockett, shined in the first week. Stockett completed 12 of 14 passes for 238 yards and five touchdowns against Parklane, all in the first half. Last year as a sophomore, Stockett was a backup to record-setting big man John White, who is now a running back at the University of Southern Miss. 442 yards with four touchdowns and three interceptions. So far, he’s used that as a springboard this season.

“He (Stockett) is playing really well. He had a great summer,” Coach Davis said. “Sam shows really good pocket presence, checking his protection and continues to improve with his reads, which is understanding where to put the ball. We teach our guys that they have the freedom to go with the ball wherever they want in our system and that definitely showed last week as we were able to get our starters out at halftime.”

Davis says it will also be up to the bigs up front to give Stockett the time he needs to make the right reads. A few are very young and learning by trial by fire. The offensive line is anchored by senior center Blayne Williams. Junior guard Owen Phillipi turns heads, along with senior Kailand Stewart, sophomore Caleb Unger, Clay Lawson and junior Michael McCrory.

“We work with them to focus on scheme, fundamentals and knowing their assignments. Five of the seven are new and learning. I think their ceiling is high. We just have to get out there and get better,” Davis said.

As usual, there’s no shortage of targets in this fun, gun-toting offense. Leading the way is junior wide receiver Case Thomas, who caught two touchdowns in the opening win against Parklane. Thomas is coming off an incredible sophomore campaign in which he had 59 catches for 1,296 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the state in touchdowns and was second in receptions. It’s a deep receiving room with juniors Will Bizot, Jack Poole and senior Jack Polles, who all contributed as dangerous targets a year ago. Poole is versatile and can line up at running back and both wide receiver slots.

Newcomer DJ Watkins is a welcome addition to the runner. Watkins, a senior, found the end zone in the season opener and is committed to Arkansas State University. Also rotating in the backfield are seniors AJ Parker, Poole and junior Michael McCrory.

While Coach Davis is an offensive guru, he is excited about the defense the Patriots have this year. Davis says this is the fastest and most aggressive defense he’s had at MRA. This group pitched a shutout in the first inning against Parklane last week. The strength lies on the defensive line where 6’3, 235-pound junior Cade Gentry returns at defensive end. Gentry led the team with 10 sacks and 12 tackles for loss as a sophomore. On the other end is Brody Brown, the 6’3 sophomore. The tackles you’ll be hearing about, seniors Winn Crews and Camden Starkey, will make running up the middle very tough.

The linebacker level is super fast. Senior Jackson Toler, junior Fletcher Cox (who will also play tight end on the other side of the ball), junior Parker Durham and senior Patrick Plunkett will certainly make sure the ball carriers gain every yard.

Defensive backs can fly and are ball hawks. Keep an eye on Senior AJ Parker, DJ Watkins, Junior Matthew Perkins, Senior RJ Ridgeway and Senior Jake McMillan. In the tough neighborhood, this group will have many chances to shine.

This will be the second game for the Patriots to knock down the dust and build their confidence. Davis will grade the game based on improvements in both execution and physics. It’s one of the deeper teams MRA has fielded, which means Davis won’t need too many guys who have to play both offense and defense. While Magnolia Heights is a formidable 5A opponent, for Davis, the game plan is simple to try a lot of different formations and schemes to see what they do best.

It will take a lot of patience to work through the growing pains of the young players, but Davis, with his new lease on life and fresh perspective, is up to the challenge.

“I love it, it’s my passion and I’m grateful to be here every day,” Davis said.

The journey continues for the Patriots as they will make the long drive north on I-55 to Senatobia on Friday night for a 7pm kickoff against the Chiefs of Magnolia Heights.

Keys to victory for MRA:

On Offense: It’s fun to watch Samuel Stockett take the reigns of the high-powered offensive system. Stockett had an interception returned for a touchdown against Parklane, so the key will be not to force the ball in tight windows and not try to do too much too quickly. With the talent of DJ Watkins in the backfield, the Patriots can afford to mix things up, which should keep the Chiefs off balance.

On defense: Magnolia Heights is proving its offense can score in droves after putting up 56 on North Delta last week. It will be important for the defensive line to put pressure on the defender and for the defenders to play smartly in the middle. While you’d still like the Patriots in a shootout, the defense will be tested.

Series: MRA leads 14-2

Last Game: MRA won 56-14 in the 2023 regular season.

At a glance

MRA Patriots:

Class/Division: Class: 6A District 1 (MAIS)

2024 Record: 1-0 (defeated Parklane Academy 42-20)

Head Coach: Herbert Davis

Assistant Coaches: Danny White, Matt Walker, John Weaver, Kenny Williams

Magnolia Heights Chiefs

Class: 5A District 1 (MAIS)

2024 Record: 1-0 (defeated North Delta 56-20)

Head Coach: Russ Whiteside

Assistant Coaches: Ed Rich, Chris Wamble, Hunter Lacefield, Kylee Brown, Jacob Melendez