For the second time in as many seasons, the Kirk Academy Raiders are looking to finish the regular season unbeaten.
Coach Colin Boone’s Raiders look to close out the 2024 regular season at 9-0 as they host Senior Night this Friday against Class AAA, District 1 rival North Delta at Raider Field. Boone, who is in his second season leading the Raiders, sees a much different team than in 2023, when Kirk won a 35-0 decision in Batesville last season.
“They are a much-improved team that is very well coached,” he said. “It’s a physical football team that may have the best defensive line we have played all season.”
North Delta is 6-3 on the season with losses to Magnolia Heights (56-20), Marshall (28-0) and Winona Christian (41-20). Last week, the team won a 35-6 decision over Carroll Academy. The Green Wave is led by sophomore running back Gabe Carlisle (5-foot-11, 180 pounds). Senior quarterback/safety Mike Pinkston (6-foot, 160 pounds) is a threat running the football, along with passing. Herron Williams (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) is the top defensive player for North Delta and also plays tight end. Gage Bryant (6-foot, 205 pounds) doubles as a running back and linebacker.
Kirk (8-0) is coming off an open date last Friday brought about when Columbus Christian dropped to 8-man football late in the summer. The night away from action was just what the Raiders needed as they prepare for the postseason.
“It was a much-needed break for our football team because we are banged up,” Boone said. “We worked a lot on fundamentals during the open date and cut back on contact.”
The Raiders have been bothered by injuries during the season. They lost senior linebacker Landon Rice (shoulder) for the season in the Marshall Academy game. Senior defensive end Blake Mattox (knee) missed the Raiders 44-2 win at Oak Hill two weeks ago and is questionable for Friday’s game.
Boone’s group will draw one of the four byes for the opening round of the playoffs, which begins next week. Kirk is expected to be the No. 2 seed behind Riverfield, La., and will host the winner of the No. 7 vs. No. 10 seed winner on Nov. 8. The top three seeds will come from the district champions and will be seed according to power point average. Seed 4 will also draw a bye. Seeds 5-12 will play on the opening weekend at their higher seeds.
Senior Noah Jackson and junior Gage Vance lead the rushing attack for the Raiders. Jackson has 622 yards on 66 carries and 12 touchdowns, while Vance has 590 yards on 56 carries and 10 touchdowns. Senior quarterback Holt Gober has completed 32-of-54 passes for 658 yards and five touchdowns. As a runner, Gober has 346 yards on 53 carries and has scored five touchdowns.
Kirk will honor 14 football and four senior cheerleaders prior to the game at Raider Field.
Kickoff for the game with the Green Wave will be 7 p.m.
