The Pillow Academy Mustangs are practicing with a newfound confidence this week.
After losing its first two games by a combined score of 61-3 to East Rankin and Jackson Prep, the Mustangs got their offense on track last week and led SBEC 14-0 at the half before the game was cancelled due to lightning.
It didn’t count as a win in the record book but it did in the minds of the players and coaches.
“We’ve had a really good week of practice,” Mustang head coach Michael Fair said. “Our players got some much-needed confidence from last week’s game, and we’re ready to go.”
That newfound swagger could be short-lived with top-ranked Jackson Academy coming in Friday night. The Raiders are the three-time defending state AAA Division I champs and own the state’s longest current win streak at 23.
“Our kids see this game as a challenge but also a great opportunity against a great program like JA,” said Fair. “It will take a near-perfect game for us to knock them off, but we can do it.
“JA is a well-coached team with good team speed. They will present some challenges for us, no doubt.”
The Raiders, who are 3-0 with wins over Presbyterian Christian, River Oaks (La.) and Northeast Lauderdale, have had injury problems at quarterback with starter Jay Shell and backup Collin Welsh. Shell is out for several more weeks with a broken foot, while Welsh has recently returned to the lineup.
He threw two touchdowns in last week’s 42-7 rout of River Oaks. Nick Guy ran for 122 yards on nine carries and scored two touchdowns, while Duncan Maxwell ran for 125 yards and a touchdown on six carries.
The Raider offensive line is anchored by 6-foot-4, 320-pound senior Jamaal Clayborn, who has given a verbal commitment to play for Mississippi State.
After managing just one field goal in the first two games, the Mustangs found success against SBEC with a smash-mouth running attack boosted by the return from illness by sophomore lineman Casey Kelly.
“We want to run the ball to control the clock and churn out first downs and hopefully control field position,” Fair said.
“It’ll be tough to do that against JA, but that’s the blue print we’ll have to use the rest of the season to be successful.”
• Contact Bill Burrus at 581-7237 or bburrus@gwcommonwealth.com. Follow on Twitter:@Bill_Burrus.
