MRA preps for season with scrimmage
MADISON - Madison-Ridgeland Academy faced off with Copiah Academy in a scrimmage on Friday night, putting forth their final preparations for their season opener against Parklane Academy next week.
While it was a very controlled scrimmage with specific situations being practiced and personnel being heavily rotated, there were still plenty of glimpses of the talent that this MRA team will bring to the table this season.
“I was pretty pleased with how we played tonight,” MRA Head Coach Herbert Davis said. “I really like our strengths we have this year, like our team speed on offense and our defense was flying around the football also.”
The Patriots started the night with a bang, as quarterback Samuel Stockett hit star wide receiver Case Thomas for a long touchdown pass.
Coach Davis put a heavy emphasis on the passing game in the scrimmage, as the Patriots will have a new starting quarterback under center this year. There will be huge shoes to fill at the quarterback position for MRA, as John White, who is entering his first season at Southern Miss, was one of the state’s best quarterbacks over the last three seasons, making three all-state teams in his three years as the MRA starting quarterback. Stockett took the first team reps for most of the scrimmage for the Patriots, with sophomore Austin Banks getting some reps as well.
“I really tried to let our quarterbacks throw it around, so we could see that,” Davis said. “I thought both of our quarterbacks played well and I feel really good about where we are with both quarterbacks.”
The MRA defense looked solid as well, with several standouts including sophomore defensive end Brody Brown making multiple plays off the edge and Arkansas State commit DJ Watkins making plays in the secondary in his Patriot debut after transferring from Jackson Academy.
It was a strong showing for the Patriots overall in this one against a very solid Copiah Academy team that lost in the MAIS 5A semifinals last season to eventual champion, Adams County Christian.
MRA will open the season on Thursday night against MAIS 5A quarterfinalists Parklane Academy and will be one of three teams in Madison County beginning their regular season on the opening weekend of high school football in Mississippi, with Canton Academy and Jackson Academy opening their season next weekend as well.
“We’re ready, we do so much in the summer and our guys are just ready to hit someone else,” Davis said. “We just have to polish up some of the little things and we will be ready to go.”