JA Beats Leake In Defensive Battle

Jackson Academy knocked off Leake Academy by a score of 31-23 Friday night, in what was a slugfest for most of the game. 

While the offense was limited on both sides for a majority of the game, one player shined in this one and that was Raider running back Omarean Ellis. Ellis had several highlight-worthy plays in this one and finished his night with 157 total yards, along with three total touchdowns. 

“He’s really talented and can make people miss,” Jackson Academy Head Coach David Duggan said. “He has the ability to take the game over.”

Throughout the first half, both teams struggled to find a rhythm offensively, but traded leads back and forth, with Jackson Academy taking a 14-10 lead into halftime.

It was much of the same in the third quarter with Jackson Academy scoring the only three points of the quarter on a short field goal. 

Both offenses really found their footing in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns each. Jackson Academy saw two long touchdowns in that final quarter from both of their star running backs, with Ellis taking a screen pass 63 yards to the house, followed by Kingston Mays getting in on the action with a 31-yard touchdown run. 

“Our offensive line really starts to wear on other teams as the game goes along,” Duggan said. “Once we get it going, our two running backs are really talented and can make a lot of plays.”

Leake Academy was able to hang around with two touchdowns late, thanks in part to a great performance from their quarterback, George Wilcox, who threw for 195 yards and had three total touchdowns on the night.

Even with the Raiders picking up the win over a solid Leake Academy team and moving to 2-0 on the young season, Duggan is not satisfied and knows this Jackson Academy team can take the next step going forward. 

“We weren’t as sharp as we were last week, but give the other team and their quarterback a lot of credit,” Duggan said. “We were fortunate to win, it was an ugly win, but we’ll take a win anyway we can get it. We just have to find more consistency going forward.”

Jackson Academy will take on Pillow Academy and Silliman Institute, before opening district play against rival Jackson Prep. Kickoff against Pillow Academy is set for 7 PM next Friday at Jackson Academy.