Rivalry Week concluded at The Brickyard on Friday night as JA welcomed Jackson Prep to The Brickyard for the 56th meeting of Raiders and Patriots. They split the two games last season as the Raiders snapped a 12 game losing skid with a thrilling 28-21 win in the 6A Semifinals in Flowood that earned a State Championship bid for JA for the first time since 2013.

The game began inauspiciously on the third play as Tate Collins had the ball knocked from his hands on a hit from Ethan Williams and Prep recovered. The JA defense stood tall and turned the Pats over on downs at the 6 yard line. After a three and out by JA, Prep was able to cash in on a short field with a 33 yard field goal from Louie Gatlin. The Raiders survived another lengthy drive by Prep in the second quarter as a Gatlin attempt from 40 yards hit the right upright. The two rivals exchanged punts the rest of the half.

The second half began with a defensive stop by the Raiders that led to a six plus minute dirve that netted three points on a Scott Swalley 28 yard field goal. The Patriots went three and out again and JA converted that into three points as well with a Swalley 38 yard field goal as JA led 6-3 early in the fourth quarter. With 6:31 left in the game, the Patriots put together the only TD drive by either team, as Paxton Thompson connected with Luke Williams on an 18 yard TD pass. JA had two more chances to climb back on top but an interception and a turnover on downs ended the late game rally attempts as the Raiders fell to 5-3 and 1-2 in conference play. Prep moved to 6-3 and 2-1 in 6A play.

Offensive Leaders: Marcus Harris ran the ball 19 times for 54 yards. Tate Collins carried the ball 11 times for 54 yards. Merritt Nations had 5 catches for 24 yards.Dakota Jordan had two receptions for 21 yards

Defensive Leaders: Win Hooker led the Raiders with 13 tackles (4 solo), 1 sack and 1 tackle for loss. Porter Harrell, Banks Whittington and Adams Kennedy all tallied 11 tackles. Max Walenta had 4 tackles (4 Solo) 3 tackles for loss and 3 sacks.

JA heads to Hattiesburg for their final regular season road game as they take on PCS with a 7pm kickoff. Pregame on The Raider Network will begin at 6:40pm

(Pic courtesy of ie3Photo)

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