Jackson Academy returns to the state championship stage with a chance to claim its first title since 2011 after a dominant 35-0 win over top-seeded Madison-Ridgeland Academy in the MAIS 4A Division I semifinals.
The fourth-seeded Raiders, now 10-1 on the season, avenged their only loss this year, a 35-24 defeat to MRA, by shutting out the Patriots behind a balanced attack and a suffocating defense. Senior quarterback Josef Walker threw three touchdown passes for 266 yards and ran for another score, while JA’s defense forced six turnovers. Key contributors included interceptions by Carter Mathison, Ashton Blackmon, Jack Seward, and Baird Kennedy, and fumble recoveries by O’Mari Johnson and Adam Alexander, with Alexander and Seward also forcing the fumbles. Junior running back Aaric Beasley added 90 rushing yards and a touchdown, and wideouts O’Mari Johnson, Vaiden Taylor, and freshman Braylan Short each contributed big plays to secure the decisive win.
Under second-year head coach David Duggan, who has compiled a 19-5 record since arriving at Jackson Academy, the Raiders have shown consistency and poise throughout the season, finishing 4-0 in conference play. They now face No. 2 seed Hartfield Academy, a 6-5 team that earned its championship berth with a 48-21 semifinal victory over Jackson Prep. The Raiders already defeated Hartfield 41-22 in the regular season, giving JA confidence as it prepares for another high-stakes matchup.
Kickoff for the MAIS 4A Division I state championship is set for 7:00 p.m. Saturday, November 22, at Robinson-Hale Stadium on Mississippi College’s campus in Clinton. The game will also be broadcast on the MAIS Championship Network for those who cannot attend in person. Fans are encouraged to turn out in force and show their support by wearing navy, creating an electric atmosphere as Jackson Academy aims to cap an extraordinary season with a title that would mark a historic night for the program.
