The top-seeded and unbeaten Kirk Academy Raiders (10-0) went back to the practice field this week, knowing they would have a bye week before opening play in the Midsouth Association of Independent Schools Class AAA Playoffs on Nov. 3.
First-year head football coach Colin Boone said the week has been focused on sharpening things on both sides of the football.
“We have been working on the little things – looking to sharpen our fundamentals as we wait to see who we play in the playoffs next week,” Boone said. “You have to continue to improve because everyone else has improved.”
The Raiders moved up to the Top Seed when the MAIS ruled Greenville Christian ineligible for the postseason due to playing several ineligible players.
Kirk Academy draws the winner of the Friday night contest between Winona Christian School and Marshall Academy in a game to be played in Winona. The Stars, coached by former Kirk head coach Ken Chandler and assisted by former Grenada High School head coach Ashley Kuhn, are 6-5 on the season and downed Marshall Academy 21-14 in overtime two weeks ago. Marshall Academy is 4-6 on the season.
“Both those teams are well-coached and present a number of different problems for us,” Boone said. “We will have to be ready for whoever we end up playing.”
Kirk defeated Winona Christian 40-0 during Week 2 in Grenada and had a 42-8 decision over Marshall Academy in Week 5 in Grenada.
The Raiders completed their first unbeaten regular season since 2000 with a 35-0 win over North Delta School in Batesville.
In other Class AAA playoff matchups, 12th-seeded Sylva-Bay Academy travels to Riverfield (La.) with the winner scheduled to travel to fourth-seeded Carroll Academy, which also has a bye, next week. Seventh-seeded Manchester Academy will host 10th-seeded Indianola Academy with the winner facing second-seeded Canton Academy in Canton. Sixth-seeded Central Holmes hosts 11th-seeded North Delta at Lexington with the winner traveling to third-seeded Greenville St. Joseph next. The semifinals are set for Nov. 10 with the finals Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. at Jackson Academy.
