The Kirk Academy Raiders begin the real version of Friday Night Lights this Friday hosting Class AAA rival Manchester Academy at Raider Field.
It will be the second game in as many years between the two schools. Last season, the Raiders won a 20-6 decision in Yazoo City in Game 1 of the Colin Boone era. Kirk is coming off a 12-1 season, which ended in a 6-0 loss to Greenville St. Joseph last December in the Class AAA State Championship game at Jackson Academy.
Manchester is coming off a 4-7 mark last season, which was the Mavericks return to 11-man football for the first time in six seasons. The Mavericks had a tumultuous end to fall camp as the School Board elected to fire longtime head football coach and head of school Bryan Dendy. Assistant Coach Ricky Beckwith was named the new head coach.
Boone expects his team to get the best effort from the Mavericks, which played the Raiders close last season and controlled the line of scrimmage running nearly double the number of plays that Kirk ran last August.
“They got after us in the opening game last season and we expect to get their best effort Friday,” Boone said. “We got the utmost respect for their team and we know that we will have to match their intensity.”
Senior Jake White (170-pounds) is the top returning player for Manchester at running back and defensive back. Classmate Ethan White (180-pounds) returns at linebacker and running back, along with senior Thomas Kalahar (130-pounds), who could see time at quarterback and running back. Senior Owen Pillow (165-pounds) could also see time at quarterback and strong safety.
Manehester will average nearly 240 pounds across the offensive and defensive lines with 10 seniors out of 22 players that will dress out.
The Raiders have an experienced team with 14 seniors – 11 of those returning from last season. Kirk is led by senior running back, receiver and defensive back Noah Jackson, who accounted for 21 touchdowns, in 2023. He will be joined in the backfield with a number of different possibilities including seniors Landon Rice and Jace West, who are also expected to play linebacker.
Grenada High School transfer senior Holt Gober (190-pounds) takes over at quarterback. Protecting Gober will be senior Riley Reed (290-pounds), junior Noah Abel (255-pounds), GHS transfer senior Tristan Dubard (285-pounds), senior Conner Timbs (190-pounds) and a third GHS transfer, junior Rowdy Staten (270, pounds).
Defensively, senior, Blake Mattox (210-pounds) anchors the unit. He is joined by classmate and linebacker Christian Rosales (205-pounds) and senior defensive backs Anthony Carollo (160-pounds) and Devon Hennis (160-pounds).
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Raider Field.
