High School Team Preview: Simpson Academy

<em><strong>Get 25% off your subscription by entering AJ30 in the coupon code area. Enjoy!</strong></em> Down in Mendenhall, Simpson Academy in the MAIS classification is looking to get back to their historic winning ways. This is a program that boasts 5 state championships in the 21st century and has produced many talented players on the way. Last season may have not gone exactly how they wanted, but this is a young team ready to turn things around. <em><strong>OVERVIEW</strong></em> Coming off of a 4-7 season, things didn’t go as planned for the Simpson Academy Cougars. The season wrapped up with a first round exit to Starkville Academy, a game that ended in a narrow 26-21 defeat. While there were plenty of contributing seniors who played their last season in 2020, Simpson Academy has an absolutely loaded rising senior class set to dominate after years of development and playing early. Teams that get thrown to the fire early in high school usually end up being very talented and experienced by their last season. On the offensive side of the ball, Simpson Academy is in good hands on the offensive line. Bookend tackle and rising junior [player_tooltip player_id="119353" first="Crosby" last="Mullins"] is the leader of an offensive line that will look to pave the way for a big time rushing attack. Mullins is easily one of the best looking prospects at 6’3" 255 and has the twitch and power to dominate in both the run and pass game. Junior guard <strong>Garrison Ashley</strong> will look to continue playing at a high level as well. This team loves the ball, and these Cougar offensive linemen specialize in clearing the path for that. At the quarterback position, senior <strong>Brentley Berry</strong> will look to finish off his high school career with three years starting. This is a guy that plays well in the offense and can make a ton of plays on the run. On the defense, junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id="120029" first="Matthew" last="Adcock"] will look to take charge and lead the defense this season. Adcock was top 5 in tackles on the team last year and hits like a freight train. This guy trusts his eyes and makes a ton of plays in opposing teams’ backfields. Alongside him, senior linebacker <strong>Colby Womack</strong> will make his presence known as well. These two backers make up what can be considered one of the strongest linebacking tandems in this year’s MAIS season. On the defensive line, Simpson Academy will look to continue developing the talent they have and hope that new playmakers emerge throughout the season. In the secondary, junior defensive back and team interception leader <strong>Tyler Stanford</strong> returns ready to keep locking down wide outs. Although they play in a competitive division, this Simpson Academy squad was young last season. Most the key playmakers were juniors or sophomores, and with that early experience, many of them will be ready and far improved for this season. <strong>PLAYER TO WATCH</strong> <strong>Carter Cockrell</strong> | 2023 RB As a sophomore, Cockrell rushed for over 1400 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also caught 15 balls for 205 yards and three scores. This young back is a complete and total package for coaches in any scheme. Cockrell has great patience as a runner and can find the open hole and go. He shows good burst in the open field and has the ability to kick it into a second gear when he needs to score. Cockrell’s game is all about making defenders miss in space using a variety of moves. To top things off, he has a nice stiff arm that can leave defenders wondering what happened. Really like this guy’s tape from last season and expecting big production numbers as a junior. <em><strong>MORE NAMES</strong></em> <strong>Benjamin Kennedy</strong> | 2025 ATH Freshman who played well as an 8th grader. Big time size at 6’2" 200 as a young kid. Tons of potential to be a star; excited to watch this season. <strong>Jake Milner</strong> | 2023 DL Played as a sophomore at DT. Looking for him to make strides in his development this season. <em><strong>GAMES TO WATCH</strong></em> <strong>8/20 Presbyterian Christian (H)</strong> - Starting off the season with a good team at home is always a great way to kickoff. Simpson Academy lost last year’s match up 49-32 and will look to come back ready to roll this season. <strong>9/10 Madison Ridgeland Academy (H)</strong> - Simpson Academy gets one of the best teams in the state to come play at home. Big time guy with a lot of big time players in it. Good that the Cougars get these guys early and at home. <strong>10/15 Riverfield Academy (LA) (A)</strong> - The Cougars cross state lines to take on Riverfield Academy. Going to be a fun border brawl late in the season.