The Kirk Academy Raiders are looking to back from last week’s disappointing 21-18 setback against Marshall Academy when the Greenville St. Joseph Fighting bring a 7-1 mark into Friday’s regular season finale at Raider Field. The Raiders are looking to improve their seeding in the upcoming Class AAAA State Playoffs and pick up a victory on Senior Night, which will also serve has the team’s Pink Out game.
Kirk finds themselves facing probably the most athletic team they have faced all season long. The Irish is averaging 32 points a contest using a balanced attack of running and throwing the football. Their lone loss of the 2021 season was a 35-0 decision in Week 2 to Jackson Prep.
“They have a lot of skilled players on the offensive side of the football,” Kirk head coach Mike Beagle said. “We are going to have to be able to tackle in space against their wide receivers. Offensively, we are going to have to eat as much of the clock as we can on each possession.”
Junior C.J. Moore is quarterback for Greenville St. Joseph. He is a threat to run or pass, according to Beagle.
“We are going to have to bring controlled pressure because he can hurt you with his legs,” Beagle said. “Offensively, they are pretty balanced – running and passing.”
Moore is 88 of 129 passing for 1,432 yards and 13 touchdowns to go with three interceptions. His leading receiver is junior Stank King, who has 38 catches for 896 yards and nine touchdowns. On the ground, the leading rusher is Kye Nelson, who has 769 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
Kirk brings a 5-4 record into the regular season finale. The Raiders have lost their games by a combined 19 points.
Senior A.J. Wren leads the Raiders with 1,131 yards and 11 touchdowns. As a receiver, he has 14 receptions for 351 yards and four touchdowns. Richard Flautt has 19 catches for 342 yards and three touchdowns and Montgomery Ferguson has eight catches for 225 yards and three touchdowns. Senior quarterback Colbert Hathcock is 56 of 121 for 997 yards and 11 touchdowns to go with four interceptions.
“We have to find a way to stay in games in the final five minutes and win them,” Beagle concluded.
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Raider Field.
