The Midsouth Association of Independent Schools (MAIS) concluded its 2019 football season with four undefeated champions and the end to Jackson Prep’s seven-year reign atop the largest classification.
The only question left is who is the best of the MAIS schools. MRA, Heritage Academy, Riverfield Academy of Louisiana and St. Joseph could all stake a claim.
6A
MRA spotted Prep a 27-14 lead late in the first half, then scored 34 straight points behind the passing of Philip Short, who threw for more than 500 yards and five touchdowns.
MRA finishes 12-2, the losses coming against Philadelphia and Briarcrest Christian of Tennessee. Prep is 10-3 with two losses to MRA and one to Heritage. That’s one more loss than the Patriots suffered in the previous four seasons combined.
5A
Carter Putt passed for 222 yards and two touchdowns, Jared Long had four receptions for 143 yards and one TD and K.J. Smith ran for three TDs as Heritage completed a 14-0 season with a 55-10 victory over Starkville Academy (10-5). A season opening 24-15 victory over Jackson Prep was the only game Heritage did not win by double digits.
4A
The Brakefield brothers, Hudson and Garrett, led Riverfield (13-0) to a 29-21 victory over Tri-County (10-3). Hudson, a junior, ran for 201 yards and three touchdowns and Garrett, the Raiders’ senior quarterback, totaled 121 yards running and passing, with one TD.
3A
St. Joseph’s big play offense keyed a 55-24 victory over Indianola Academy (10-5). Touchdowns for the Irish (13-0) included runs of 72 and 50 yards by Mississippi State commit Dillon Johnson, a 60-yard run by Colorado commit Trey Benson, a 65-yard pass from Mehki Norris to Kaleb Lockett, a 39-yard run by Norris and a 43-yard run by Rhodrick Gentry.
With back-to-back championships, St. Joseph has a 24-game winning streak since losing to Indianola in the second game of the 2018 season,
2A/1A
The two smallest classifications play 8-man football. Manchester Academy (12-0) defeated Marvell of Arkansas (11-2) 36-8 in 2A and Briarfield Academy (12-1) won a battle of Louisiana schools with a 60-36 victory over Prairie View (9-4) in 1A.
Manchester rebounded from a 40-34 loss to Tallulah in last year’s championship game to win its first title since 1984. The Mavericks were dominant in the playoffs, outscoring three opponents 136-14. Surrendering only two TDs in three games in the high-scoring world of 8-man football is especially impressive.
Briarfield totaled 516 yards against Prairie View, led by T.J. Baker who ran and passed for 313 yards and four touchdowns.
