Each season, football teams have the goal to win a district championship and get an opportunity to play for a state championship.
The Kirk Academy Raiders still have their goals firmly in sight as they close the regular season Friday night at Lee Academy in Clarksdale. Justin Purvis’ team is 5-4 on the season and the Colts are 6-3 overall. Both teams are 2-0 inside Class AA, District 1.
“We want to win a district championship,” Purvis said. “I don’t care if the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools recognizes it or not. This has been our focus all week.”
As far as the postseason, Lee Academy and Kirk are in different positions heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The Colts are firmly set to be in the Division 1 bracket, along Centreville Academy, Winona Christian School and Greenville St. Joseph. Kirk Academy will open play in the Division 2 playoffs. Heading into Friday’s game, the Raiders would host Regents. Final pairings will be announced Saturday morning.
The Raiders will have to contend with junior Desi Monix, who ranks among the top running backs in the MAIS with 1,675 yards and 28 touchdowns. He has been the main focus for the Raiders this week.
“He is one of the best running backs in the state, who can really run,” Purvis said. “We are going to have to get to him before he gets going and get some penetration before he gets going. When he gets going, he is hard to catch and hard to bring down.”
Senior Jonathan Redwine is the top receiver has 25 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns.
“He is a big body guy that they go to in the passing game,” Purvis said. “He has good hands and is a load to bring down.”
Senior Brayden Antici operates the Colts offense quarterback, running for 171 yards and two touchdowns. As a passer, he is 50-of-86 for 739 yards to with six touchdowns and six interceptions.
“They are well-rounded offense with an outstanding guy leading them,” Purvis said. “It will be a challenge to slow them down.”
Defensively, the Raiders will need to find a way to block the Colts linebackers, according to Purvis.
“You got to find a way to pick up their linebackers,” he said. “The group is very talented and play hard and downhill. They shoot the gaps and read guards really well. To move the football, you need to be able to block the linebackers.”
Kirk Academy enters the regular season finale winning four of their last five games. The Raiders seem to be peaking at the right time.
“Offensively, we seem to have found our identity,” Purvis concluded. “Defensively, we have had some guys, who are getting better every day.”
Senior Gage Vance continues to lead the offensive attack with 160 rushes for 1,189 yards and 15 touchdowns. Classmate Linton Carson has 80 rushes for 625 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a passer, he is 43-of-86 for 488 yards and five touchdowns to go with three interceptions.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Jett Lewis 78 tackles – seven tackles for losses. Junior linebacker Bryson Arbuckle has 66 tackles – seven tackles for losses. Senior defensive end Hayes Horan has 59 tackles – 11 for tackles for losses.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
