MRA rolls to win in season opener

Madison-Ridgeland Academy opened the season with a resounding statement on Thursday night, blowing out Parklane Academy 42-20.

Junior Quarterback Samuel Stockett led the way for the Patriots in the opener, passing for five of the six MRA touchdowns in the first half. 

“He delivered the ball with a lot of accuracy and made great decisions,” MRA Head Coach Herbert Davis said. “It’s good to see him off to a great start, it’s great for us and what we like to do offensively.”

It was a monster performance for Stockett and the Patriots in the passing game, as he totaled 12-of-14 passing with 238 yards, along with those five passing touchdowns. All of MRA’s points came in the first half.

The only touchdown on the ground for the Patriots came from Arkansas State commitment DJ Watkins in the first quarter.

Case Thomas, who was one of the state’s leading receivers last season, got off to a hot start in his junior campaign with two receiving touchdowns in the season opener for MRA. 

“We have a slew of receivers that have done a great job of getting better this summer,” Davis said. “Three of our receivers have been playing since they were freshmen and have gotten a lot better and made some plays tonight.”

Parklane Academy came up with a pick-six to end the first half and then scored 13 unanswered points in the second half with a running clock enacted. 

MRA was one of three Madison County teams playing on this opening weekend of high school football in Mississippi and Davis sees it as an advantage to get a head start on the season. 

“Getting to play in a game this early gives you a real advantage conditioning-wise,” Davis said. “There’s nothing like getting to play against someone else, I don’t like playing in jamborees as much because you get to play four quarters instead of two.”

This time last year, Davis was hospitalized with heart and kidney issues, before undergoing a historic kidney swap in January. He is now back and healthier than ever and looked back to full form on the sidelines in MRA’s season opener.

“It’s a blessing to be here, a year ago, I thought I was going to die,” Davis said. “It’s good to be back, I’m feeling better than ever, and it’s been fun.”

MRA will be back in action next Friday on the road against Magnolia Heights. Kickoff is set for 7 PM.