The Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) will crown six state football champions this week. Five of the six games will feature rematches from regular season games and four teams will be attempting to complete perfect seasons.
The first five games Thursday and Friday will be played at Jackson Academy. The 6A championship game between Jackson Prep (10-2) and Madison-Ridgeland Academy (11-2) will be played at Mississippi College in Clinton Saturday with a 6 p.m. kickoff.
Prep is a seven-time defending state champion under Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame inductee Ricky Black, but will be the underdog this year. MRA won an earlier game 34-22. The two teams, both Patriots, met in last year's title game with Prep coming out on top 33-27.
Championship week kicks off at 3 p.m. Thursday with the Class I (8-man) game between Louisiana schools Briarfield (11-1) and Prairie View (9-3). Briarfield won the first meeting 78-42.
At 7 p.m. Thursday it will be Riverfield of Louisiana (12-0) against Tri-County Academy (10-2) in Class 2. Riverfield won an earlier shootout 50-49.
A full day of gridiron action Friday begins at 11 a.m. with Marvell Academy of Arkansas (11-1) against Manchester (11-0) in Class 3. Manchester was a 46-20 winner in their first matchup.
At 3 p.m. it will be St. Joseph of Greenville (12-0) vs. Indianola (10-4) in Class 4. St. Joe features the dynamic backfield duo of Trey Benson and Dillon Johnson. They have combined for 3,171 yards and 45 TDs on the ground and both are rated among the state's top 10 senior recruits.
Friday's final game will be Heritage Academy (13-0) and Starkville Academy (10-4) in Class 5 at 7 p.m. Starkville Academy will be attempting to do much better than their earlier meeting, a 42-7 loss. Heritage's unbeaten ledger includes a 24-15 victory over Jackson Prep.
