By By Jeff Byrd / staff writer
Nov. 21, 2002
JACKSON By all means, today's Mississippi Private School Association's Class A Championship, is worthy of a classic football title game.
Both Prentiss Christian and Heidelberg Academy enter the MPSA final with 12-1 records. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Robinson-Hale Stadium on the campus of Mississippi College in Clinton.
Then there is the contrasting styles of each team. Prentiss Christian relies on a clock chewing ground attack based out of the Wing-T. Heidelberg has a rock solid defense that has posted eight shutouts in 13 games this season.
The adage that something must give, rings no truer than in this game.
Heidelberg head coach Tom Lewis says the Saints' style is similar to what Wayne Academy likes to do. The Rebels beat Wayne for the second time this season with a 6-0 win last Friday night in Heidelberg for the North State A Championship.
The Rebels held Wayne to just 51 yards in total offense. Jaguars had minus-1 yard in the second half and advanced no further than the Heidelberg 37.
The Rebels have allowed just 56 points this season. The team's lone loss came to Lamar School 15-14. Lamar won the AAA Division II South title. Oak Hill scored 21 in a 24-21 Heidelberg win. The three other teams who scored were all held to seven or less.
Prentiss Christian is a bit more lenient on defense. The Saints won two close playoff games in the first two rounds beating Briarfield Academy 21-16 and Glenbrook 13-9.
But they turned it on last week beating defending A champion Trinity Episcopal Day School 30-8 at Prentiss. Trinity runs the spread offense, but the Saints rushed it into the ground.
Prentiss is led by wingback Brandon Fortenberry who has rushed for 1,861 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. Nick Daley adds 700 yards rushing and 12 touchdown.
Heidelberg will look to stay balanced on offense. Despite a very muddy field at Heidelberg, the Rebels threw the ball 16 times behind quarterback Brooks Lewis. He completed six for 65 yards which included a pair of fourth down conversions to Blake Bass.
Bass had four catches in the game for 55 yards. Jeremy Eason rushed for a game high 63 yards.
The Rebel offensive line is paced by prospect Brannon Sims (6-4, 228) and Hendry (6-0, 222). Junior Ryan Aultman and sophomore Raymond Taormina (6-0, 250) are key cogs as well.