Kirk Academy and Marshall Academy have met 40 times on the gridiron prior to this season, according to Mississippi High School Football History records.
In the last six years, four of those games have been decided by 10 points or less with each team recording a blowout win. Tonight, Friday, Sept. 20, the teams will tangle on the gridiron in an important Class AAA, District 1 contest at Holly Springs with the winner taking a step toward winning the district title with three league games remaining in the season.
Kirk comes into the contest with a perfect 4-0 mark, while Marshall sits at .500 with a 2-2 record. Raiders’ head coach Colin Boone says the match up with the Patriots will the Raiders’ toughest this season.
“Marshall Academy is a big, physical football team that will be our toughest challenge to date,” he said. “We are going to have to be very prepared and it’s a tough place to play.”
The Patriots are led by senior running back and linebacker Eli Gurley (6-foot-2, 230 pounds).
“Gurley is a physical specimen that runs the ball well and anchors their defensive group at linebacker,” Boone said. “You can’t miss him out there – he is a man among boys.”
Coaches talk about games are normally won on the line of scrimmage and that should be the case this week.
“Defensively, we are going to have to work hard to get off blocks against a big, physical offensive line,” Boone concluded. “They are big, athletic and move well. It will be our best challenge to this point in the season.”
Kirk brings one of the top defenses in Class AAA allowing just five points per game during the first month of the season. Offensively, the Raiders are scoring an average of 40.5 points this season.
Scouting Marshall
Ben Durham is in his third season at the Holly Springs school. He has used a number of transfers to blend with his returning players hoping to improve.
“We knew this would be a rebuild season, but we have 18 returning starters and some transfers that have blended in well,” Durham said. “This team has been competitive against a really tough schedule and we feel like we can be in the hunt for the district.”
Durham knows the importance of Friday’s contest, but he knows a bigger prize is down the road.
“It’s important game for the midpoint of the season, but we are not putting too much emphasis on its importance,” he said. “We feel like no matter who wins, we will probably meet in the playoffs. This game is another step of trying to become the best team you can be.”
Junior Lewisburg High School transfer Southern Moore (230 pounds) is an offensive lineman for the Patriots. He is joined by seniors Zachary Bogard (260 pounds), Joseph McDonial (190 pounds) and Rhyder Rippee (240 pounds) upfront.
Junior Carson Ormon returns at quarterback and is joined in the backfield by junior Olive Branch transfer Tyler Wright (180 pounds) and sophomore Olive Branch transfer Ashton Curtis (160 pounds). Junior Devin Snow (180 pounds) is the top wide receiver for the Patriots. Junior Paxton Austin (282 pounds) is a returnee on the defensive line, while freshman Brennan Smith (205 pounds) has been solid.
“We have good blend on offense, but everything starts on defense for us,” Durham concluded. “This game will be an epic game in the trenches because Kirk has an outstanding defensive line and we feel like we have a good defensive line. I’m excited to see how that goes and I feel like our linebackers are as good as they get.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Marshall Academy.
