By Kasie Thomas, Patrick Johnstone and Nathan Lee
Published: Aug. 23, 2024 at 7:10 PM CDT
JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - High school football is back!
Simpson Academy vs. Tri County Academy
We start in Mendenhall, where the defending MAIS 4A state champions, the Tri-County Academy Rebels, traveled to face the Simpson Academy Cougars.
The Rebels picked up right where they left off last season.
On the first play from scrimmage, the Cougars coughed up the ball, leading to a Rebels fumble recovery.
Tri-County did not take long to take advantage of that opportunity. Just a couple of plays later, Rebels running back Rhett Gray found a crease and made a move to take it all the way for the first points on the board.
It did not get better for the Cougars after that. An interception on the very next drive led to a methodical drive by Tri-County, which was topped off with another rushing score from Gray.
Yet another interception gave the ball back to the Rebels, which they took advantage of once again, but this time through the air, with Rebels quarterback Bryce Warriner finding his man Brayden Walsh way downfield for another score.
Tri-County did not stop there, putting up more scores in the second half.
We now send it to our Nathan Lee, who is live from Mendenhall after the Rebels’ massive Week 1 win.
The Tri-County Academy Rebels picked up right where they left off last season as they start this season with another massive blowout win to boost their confidence.
For the defending MAIS 4A state champs, they wanted to come out and make a statement, and they did just that with their dominant running game.
It was all made possible with their three-headed monster in the backfield, starting with senior quarterback Bryce Warriner.
While he still made things happen with his arm, his legs were a big story in this one, as well as the backfield that was led by star running back Rhett Gray, along with big games from Hayden Hunt and Bryce Brooks.
While Tri-County head coach Phillip Wasson couldn’t be more proud of his team, he cannot wait to see his team keep proving the doubters wrong.
So what’s next for these teams? The Rebels get their first home game of the season next week against Riverfield Academy, while the Cougars hit the road to take on the Hartfield Academy Hawks.
*Final Score:* Tri-County Academy 35, Simpson Academy 0.
Clinton Christian vs. Greenville St. Joseph
Clinton Christian hosted the reigning MAIS 3A state champions, Greenville St. Joseph.
The Warriors got their offense going as Trevor Mason handed it off to Caiden Boyd, who went right, hurdled a defender, and got the first down.
The CCA offense worked hard, but the Fighting Irish’s defense worked a little bit harder.
Troy Anderson took the snap on this one. He looked around for an open man, but Greenville St. Joe got to him before he could find anyone.
Then in the second quarter, the Warriors utilized the run game.
Mason gave it to Zalen Freeman, who found the hole and picked up some nice yardage before he was brought down.CCA was still unable to find the end zone, but the Irish were up, and Victor Baker stepped back, pumped, and then sent it through the air to Jaden Easley, who made the catch and dove in for the touchdown.
Greenville St. Joe led 14-0.
Later on, the Fighting Irish tried to put more points on the board, but #11 met Jayden Moore and brought him down for a big stop.
*Final Score:* Greenville St. Joseph 56, Clinton Christian 0.
Oak Forest Academy vs. East Rankin Academy
We go to Pelahatchie, where East Rankin Academy hosted Oak Forest Academy.
ERA had their home opener after a loss on the road last week.
Kaul Perkins broke tackles and ankles for the Yellowjackets. Perkins went 39 yards to the end zone to open the scoring in favor of Oak Forest.
The Patriots answered as Luke Wesson went to the far side of the field, scoring easily from seven yards out to knot things up.
But Perkins was the star of the show tonight. He took the swing pass, got to the outside, made a man miss, and then it was a foot race to the end zone.
Perkins won that race, and he was in for the score to put the Yellowjackets back in front.
He wasn’t done there. Perkins hit a hole in the middle, with no one in front of him, and scored his third touchdown of the game.
*Final Score:* Oak Forest Academy 55, East Rankin Academy 7.
Hartfield Academy vs. Brookhaven Academy Cougars
It may be Week One, but a couple of our teams were already 1-0 coming into tonight.
That’s right, Hartfield Academy was one of those teams, and tonight, they were trying to make it 2-0.
Hartfield Academy made the trip down I-55 to take on the Brookhaven Academy Cougars.
The Hawks’ defense wasted no time getting after it tonight.
The Cougars tried running an option here, but the running back wasn’t able to get a handle on the pitch.
Instead, Hartfield’s Kinzy West scooped up the loose ball and ran it all the way back for a touchdown.
He got in untouched. The PAT was good, and the Hawks were up 7-0. Hartfield looked to extend its lead.
Quarterback Cayman Tapper dropped back to pass and found a wide-open Bralan Womack for the score, making it look just too easy.
The Hawks took it up to 14-0. It was all Hartfield in this one.
Later on, Josh Wotten took the handoff at the goal line and punched it in for the TD.
The Hawks have now won 16 games in a row.
*Final Score:* Hartfield Academy 63, Brookhaven Academy 7.
Jackson Academy vs. Leake Academy
We go to the Brickyard, where David Duggan coached his first game leading JA against Leake Academy.
He’s going to like this: George Wilcox’s pass was intercepted by Foster Meacham, and the Raiders took over in great territory.
The offense punched it in as Omarean Ellis found a wide-open hole.
The Raiders turned picks into points, going up 7-0 in the first.
In the second quarter, the Rebels had third down at the inch line. Wilcox took the snap and powered through for the TD run.
He was under that pile somewhere for the score. Leake Academy tied things up.
They took the lead on a field goal.
Late in the half, it’s Ellis again with another short-yardage score.
JA went into the break up 14-10.
*Final Score:* Jackson Academy 31, Leake Academy 23.
Jackson Prep vs. Copiah Academy
Copiah Academy hosted the MAIS 6A runners-up, Jackson Prep, and the Patriots started early.
Billy Puckett had time to throw and found Gardner Young, who was wide open and took it in for the touchdown.
Later on, Prep showed off the run game.
Billy Puckett got it, faked the run, gave it to Major Quinn, and he was so fast that he lost our camera guy, but we found him again in the end zone for six more.
Puckett took the snap on this one and got the quick pass to Aiden Rowe.
He took some hits but stayed on his feet to pick up some nice yards for Prep.
Puckett had it again and tried to look for a man downfield but couldn’t make a connection, so he kept it himself and toted it a few yards before he was brought down.
*Final Score:* Jackson Prep 30, Copiah Academy 14.
Take a look at all the local scores by clicking here.
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