Anthony Mcdougle Mississippi Clarion Ledger Published 11:56 PM EST Nov 9, 2018 As is usually the case when two rivals square off with high stakes, Jackson Academy gave Jackson Prep everything it had in the 4A-Division 1 semifinals Friday night in Flowood. But for every haymaker the Raiders threw, Jackson Prep came back with a counter punch that led to 42-21 victory by the Patriots. The win advanced Jackson Prep (11-1) to the state championship game against Madison-Ridgeland Academy at Mississippi College next Friday at 6 p.m. Earlier this season, MRA handed the Patriots their only loss of the year in a 42-21 decision. Prep head coach Ricky Black anticipated Friday’s semifinal would be a fight. “We knew they would come out and play a good football game,” Black said. “Our players took on the challenge, came out and played their best game of the season. Now we just need to come back next week and play a better game.” Jackson Prep running back Jerrion Ealy, who shredded Jackson Academy’s defense earlier this season for 321 offensive yards thanks to a series of explosive plays, served as more of a workhorse this time around. Ealy finished with 182 yards rushing and one touchdown. He constantly ripped off runs of seven, eight, nine yards or more to keep drives going for his team and demoralize the Raiders defense. The teams traded first quarter touchdowns. Ealy got things going for the Patriots with a 24-yard touchdown run and Jackson Academy quarterback Kinkead Dent answered… [Read full story]
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