The 2022 football season kicks off for the Pillow Academy Mustangs on Friday when they take on Kirk Academy in Grenada at 7 p.m.
Head coach Jim Crowder looks to start his second season off like he did his first with a 32-28 win over Kirk at the beginning of the 2021 campaign, a season that would end in the second round of the Class 5A playoffs with an overall record of 6-6.
Crowder has high praise for Kirk head coach Jay Watts, a former Pillow Academy headmaster, and said he expects Watts to have his team ready to compete.
“I expect a hard-fought game,” Crowder said. “Coach Watts is a heck of a coach, and he’ll have his kids prepared. He does some things offensively that are hard to prepare for, it’s very unique. They have a couple of skill guys that can take it the distance. They are dangerous with the ball in their hands.”
Leading up to the first game of the season, Pillow has had plenty of practices to prepare. Some previous practices, Crowder said, haven’t been perfect, but they have been getting better.
“We’ve had a better week so far. There’s more energy; you can tell it’s game week,” Crowder said. “I was disappointed with our energy a week ago. Starting last Monday, we didn’t have a great week on the grass, which I’m responsible for that. I had to make some changes as a coach. So far this week I’ve seen a difference in the way they are prepared.”
Leading the Mustangs on the gridiron are their 18 seniors, who can be found starting in a variety of roles. Crowder has been vocal about their championship aspirations, and Pillow Academy has the experience and talent to back up the claims. Crowder said he expects his team to be ready for Kirk, but knows Friday will also be a special day for his seniors.
“We’re all about attitude and effort,” Crowder said. “I expect our guys to be excited and understand what’s at stake. We’re guaranteed nine Friday nights, so each one is special. For a large portion, maybe all of our seniors, this may be their last opening game they ever have. These guys have been looking forward to this year a long time, so I expect focus, energy and excitement.”
-Contact Jared Conerly at 662-581-7237 or jconerly@gwcommonwealth.com
