It’s Week 8 of the high school football season for the Kirk Academy Raiders and head coach Colin Boone’s team is looking to make history this season as it looks to match the start of the 2000 team that went 10-0 in the regular season en route to an 11-1 finish.
Standing in Kirk’s way tonight is another group of Raiders from Oak Hill Academy. Coach Bill Rosenthall’s group from West Point comes into the contest with an overall 3-4 mark.
Boone said the record is deceiving and OHA poses a big challenge for his team.
“Oak Hill has a solid football team,” he said. “The thing that sticks out on tape about them is how big and physical they are on the offensive and defensive lines. We will have our hands full with them in the trenches.”
Oak Hill Academy is led at quarterback by senior Noah Brand (6-foot-1, 180). Defensively, Brand anchors the back end of the unit at cornerback. Classmate Camden Payne (5-foot-9, 165) plays at running back and outside linebacker.
On the offensive and defense lines, Oak Hill is led by seniors Hunter Holder and Elliott Shaw.
Offensively, the Raiders are led by junior Noah Jackson, who has accounted for 10 touchdowns rushing, four receiving and one interception for a touchdown. Senior quarterback Carter Hathcock has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark as a passer completing 57-of-88 passes for 1,001 yards and 10 touchdowns with just one interception. As a runner, Hathcock has 62 rushes for 339 yards and five touchdowns.
The contest will be Senior Night for nine Kirk Academy seniors. Boone said the group has made a big impact in the program with the undefeated start to the season.
“I tell our seniors often thanks for helping to make Kirk Academy football relevant again,” he concluded. “Those guys have been instrumental in our success and hopefully we can go out and play well for them.”
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. tonight at Raider Field. The senior recognition night is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. Nine football players and six cheerleaders, along with their families will be honored.
