It’s been a rough season so far for Pillow Academy, but the Mustangs are still in position to win a conference title and make the playoffs.
“Everything we wanted, outside of an undefeated season, is still attainable. We can win our league, host a playoff game and win a state championship,” PA head coach Tripp McCarty said. “But we’ve obviously got to start playing better, and I think it’s coming.”
Pillow (1-5) plays its only two North AAAA, Division II games the next two weeks — at Washington Oct. 13 and home to Magnolia Heights Oct. 20. That’s why the Mustangs need a win Friday for homecoming to give them momentum for the stretch run.
“It’s huge to get this season turned around right now,” McCarty said. “We are a work in progress much later in the season than we would like, but we are getting better. Hopefully, we can put it all together here at the right time and make a run.”
Struggling AAA team Kirk Academy — Friday’s opponent — may be just what the doctor ordered for the ailing Mustangs, losers of three straight. The Raiders are 1-6 and come in riding a five-game losing skid.
In the last five matchups, Pillow has beaten Kirk by an average of 40.8 points.
“I guess it’s a good time for this game. We surely need a win, but Kirk seems to be a better team than what we’ve seen in past years,” McCarty said.
The Mustangs are coming off a 32-10 loss to Starkville Academy, which is ranked No. 2 in the statewide AAA poll.
PA led 10-0 in the second quarter, but the Volunteers scored three touchdowns in less than five minutes to take control and cruise to the win.
Pillow had 120 yards total offense in the first two quarters but managed just 70 in the second half. The 190-yard output was the second-lowest of the season for the Mustangs.
“We started out pretty darn good, but we were unable to sustain it. We made plays in the first half that we weren’t able to make in the second,” McCarty said.
He wants to see his team come out Friday playing a fast, physical brand of football and never let up.
“Playing fast and aggressive will help make for some of the mistakes you are going to make in a game,” said the PA coach.
