Coming off their first win of the 2022 season, the Kirk Academy Raiders return home after consecutive road games to face longtime rival Oak Hill Academy from West Point this Friday night for Senior Night.
This year’s Battle of the Raiders features a pair of 1-4 teams, which have struggled in different areas throughout the season. Oak Hill is coached Bill Rosenthall, who is in his third season as the head coach. The OHA coach says his team has struggled to finish games, losing three of its four games by 10 points or less.
“We have had way too many penalties and turnovers,” he said. “This team hasn’t been able to get over the hump. We would get something going, then we would get a penalty or a turnover.”
In last week’s 33-26 loss to Lee Academy of Clarksdale, Oak Hill rallied from an early 14-0 deficit to lead 26-20 late in the game. They gave up two quick touchdowns to drop the contest.
“We are playing behind the chains due to penalties,” Rosenthall said. “There aren’t many teams that can recover from 1st and 30. Last week, we had 15 penalties.”
Junior Noah Brand leads Oak Hill’s offense at quarterback. Behind him, senior John Ross Craven and Jacob Mobley are the running backs. On the offensive line, the Clay County Raiders are led by juniors Seth Cunningham and Elliott Shaw, along with sophomore Chip Ballard.
Defensively, Oak Hill has been led by seniors Brian Buchanan and Ethan Gazaway, and junior Dalton Wooten. Craven has also been steady on defense for the Raiders.
After watching Kirk’s 35-8 win over Rossville, Tenn., Rosenthall knows his team will have their hands full when they come to Grenada Friday to face Kirk.
“I was really impressed with Kirk after watching their tape against Rossville,” he said. “Their quarterback has done a good job of running the ball when flushed out of the pocket. He also does a good job of getting the football in the hands of the right people. That is a definite concern for us heading into the game.”
Senior quarterback Lane Goss had touchdown runs of 50 and 20 in last week’s win over Rossville. He also had a 60-yard scoring strike to sophomore running back Noah Jackson.
“We had trouble tackling Jackson in junior varsity last season,” Rosenthall added. “No. 7 (junior running back Gunner Vance) is also a very capable back for them.”
Oak Hill and Kirk met in the preseason jamboree back in Aug. 3, at Clarksdale. Rosenthall sees a different Kirk team, particularly scheme-wise.
“Back in the jamboree, they showed a run-oriented look,” he said. “Now, they spread you out and make you cover the entire field.”
Kirk defensive coordinator Stephen Crenshaw is concerned with Oak Hill’s running attack.
“They are big and physical running the pistol formation with a running back lined up behind the quarterback,” he said. “They like to zone run and power run, and will spread you out and run and throw. Craven is a solid running back for them.”
Defensively, OHA likes to run a 4-4 look.
“They like to send their outside linebackers off the edge and give pressure,” Crenshaw concluded. “We will have to play really well and be more physical.”
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Raider Field. Eight seniors will be honored during pregame ceremonies.
