MAIS 2022 Championship Predictions

While the public schools have kicked off their playoffs or are starting this week, the MAIS leagues are already getting even closer to championship time. Win or go home, these teams have come along way from week one. Today, we dive into our championship projections, players to watch, and keys to each team left in the 2022 MAIS playoffs across regions 3A through 6A.   <h2>6A</h2>   Games Left: Madison Ridgeland Academy vs Jackson Academy; Jackson Prep vs Hartfield Academy   Championship Game Projection: Madison Ridgeland Academy vs Jackson Prep   MAIS 6A Champ: Madison Ridgeland Academy   MAIS 6A is wide open this year, as all the remaining teams have beat each other or played each other extremely close during the regular season.   2021 state champion Madison Ridgeland Academy looks to be the favorite of the final 4, but it should be noted that the Patriots dropped their last regular season game to Hartfield Academy 28-31 (their only MAIS loss on the season). Led by quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='344088' first='John' last='White'], the Patriot's passing game is a tough one to stop for any team no matter how talented the defense is.   Jackson Prep is on their resurgence as well, finishing the regular season with a 9-1 record and outstanding quarterback play from [player_tooltip player_id='340775' first='Paxton' last='Thompson']. Anchored by senior linebacker Duncan Matthews, the Prep defense has looked like one of the best in the MAIS throughout the season. Their only regular season loss came to Madison Ridgeland Academy, but as we all know in high school sports, it is hard to beat the same team twice, especially in a tight ball game.   Not to be ruled out so fast, Hartfield Academy is a sneaky title champion that could just as easily win out as Prep and MRA could. With transfer quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='108934' first='Trip' last='Maxwell'] playing at a high level (1,979 yards, 22 TDs), the offense has been able to take over games since their early season loss to Presbyterian Christian. Sophomore defensive lineman London Simmons has been a huge difference maker on the defensive side of the football, alongside junior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='344086' first='Christopher' last='Jones']. The Hawks fell to Jackson Prep before they beat MRA to end the regular season, and certainly carry a ton of momentum into the playoffs with them.   After a hard fought regular season, Jackson Academy defeated Parklane Academy in the first round of the playoffs. While the offense has had some struggling moments during the regular season, playmakers [player_tooltip player_id='350968' first='DJ' last='Watkins'] and [player_tooltip player_id='346405' first='Kiandre' last='Terry'] have found a way to keep the chains moving all the way into the semi-finals. The defensive side of the football features a lot of young talent, including freshman defensive lineman [player_tooltip player_id='212364' first='Dereon' last='Albert'], who has totaled 7.5 sacks and 24 TFLs this season. While this may not be the year Jackson Academy makes a title championship game, the young talent is there for them to build around for next season.   <h2>5A</h2>   Games Left: Heritage Academy vs Oak Forest Academy; Simpson Academy vs Copiah Academy   Championship Game Projection: Heritage Academy vs Copiah Academy   MAIS 5A Champ: Heritage Academy   Although Heritage Academy lost quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='106161' first='Mack' last='Howard'] after winning a state championship last year, the Patriots finished 9-1 in the regular season and find themselves ready to make another run at a title. This year's offense is running through new transfer running back [player_tooltip player_id='346421' first='Jay' last='Stevenson'], who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 26 TDs in the regular season. Stevenson gives Heritage Academy a physical edge in the rushing attack that they haven't had in a while. While last year's Patriot squad passed their way to a title, this year's looks like they will bully and run over anybody in their way.   Copiah Academy is seeking revenge for their title loss to Heritage Academy last season. This year's Colonel team may be even more talented than last years as the young talent has come along way since their last loss of the season. With an offense led by wide receiver Tanner Hollingsworth and quarterback Wyatt Albright, Copiah Academy has been clicking in the pass game and scoring from afar the last few weeks. Averaging over 40 points a game since the last week of September, seemingly nobody has had an answer for this team yet. The defense has been impressive too, with standout players [player_tooltip player_id='223762' first='DeJarious' last='Segrest'] and Avondre Robinson making up one of the better front sevens in the MAIS.   Simpson Academy is a team that has only gotten better and better over the last two years. A strong senior class has elevated the program to their best regular season record since 2018. The Cougars will try and ride their recent momentum of success through the playoffs, but have a tough road ahead of them. Offensively, this is a talented football team led by running back [player_tooltip player_id='340735' first='Carter' last='Cockrell']. The rushing attack may be spearheaded by Cockrell, but the offensive line led by [player_tooltip player_id='119332' first='Crosby' last='Mullins'] is one of the better ones in all of the MAIS. With a defense led by senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='120029' first='Matthew' last='Adcock'], the Cougars have allowed only an average of 14 points per game in their last 4 games. This was a team that gave Madison Ridgeland Academy one of their closest games during the regular season - could they be on their way to a 5A state title this year?   <h2>4A</h2>   Games Left: Adams County Christian vs Tri-County Academy; Riverfield Academy vs St. Jospeh   Championship Game Projection: St Joseph vs Tri-County Academy   MAIS 4A Champ: St Joseph   St Joseph has been one of the most dominant teams in the MAIS this season, blowing out every team they played outside of Jackson Prep. Last season, the Fighting Irish had a similar run of dominance only to be beaten by Tri-County Academy in the MAIS 4A playoff semifinals. This year, St Joseph looks to be on a revenge tour with a possible match up against Tri-County Academy in the championship game should both teams win in the semifinals. Led by quarterback CJ Moore, the Fighting Irish have been electric on offense this season, scoring over 50 points in 5 games so far. Do-it-all athlete Stank King has been one of the hardest receivers to cover and toughest DBs to game plan around. Senior linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='119614' first='Carson' last='Graham'] has been another outstanding playmaker, racking up 66 tackles, 8 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks on the year. This St Joseph team has the senior talent required to win big, and it looks like this may be the year.   Last year's champion Tri-County Academy has been on a roll this season, only losing one game by a point to Adams County Christian who also finds themself in the semifinals. Sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='350937' first='Bryce' last='Warriner'] has looked like one of the best young arms in the state, throwing for 1,799 yards and 24 touchdowns during the season. Paired with senior running back Thomas Murphy and one of the best athletes in the MAIS in [player_tooltip player_id='120873' first='Kamp' last='Shepherd'], this offense can give anybody trouble. Defensively, Tri-County has been stout up front allowing only 20 total points in the month of October to opponents. With the rematch between the Rebels and Adams County Christian, expect one of the best overall MAIS playoff games. It is hard to beat the same team twice in high school football.   The only undefeated team left in the playoffs, Adams County Christian has stayed hot the entire season behind the play of young stud quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='350921' first='Coleman' last='Carter']. Carter, having thrown over 2,000 yds and 26 touchdowns so far, is also the team's leading rusher with 588 yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. This is truly a special game changing player that the Rebels are lucky to have on their sideline. Receivers Jordan Berry, Tristan Burns, and Samuel Merriett have all been big weapons for Carter to throw to and will look to carry their success over into the later rounds of the playoffs. Defensively, the Rebels have played a bend-don't-break style all year, but senior defensive back Jessie Grayson has made a lot of big plays on the ball in the air. Can Adams County Christian stay undefeated? This MAIS 4A playoffs could end any number of ways with the talent all three of these teams have.   <h2>3A</h2>   Games Left: Greeneville Christian vs Central Holmes Christian; Centreville Academy vs Canton Academy   Championship Game Projection: Greeneville Christian vs Canton Academy   MAIS 3A Champ: Canton Academy   Entering the playoffs with only one regular season loss to Tri-County Academy, Canton Academy has looked like the front runner for the 3A title throughout the year. With a powerful offensive line led by tackle Daniel Ford, the Panthers have allowed the rushing attack to flourish, something that does not go unnoticed in post season play. Running back Chris Hunter has had a big year so far and has shown the ability to tough his way out for some hard earned yards, or use his speed to score from far out. Defensively, the Panthers have been clicking over the last month and been able to hold teams to 14 or less in their last 3 games. Canton Academy's only true question right now is if they are to see Greeneville Christian in the championship, will they be able to get over the hump after losing in the playoffs last season?   Last year's storied Greeneville Christian team was one for the ages. Due to graduation of many of their top players, the Saints have taken a bit of a step back this year, but it is hard to replicate that kind of historic success. While the team may have finished 5-5 in the regular season, this is a deceptive 5-5 as the Saints played many of the top teams in the MAIS and in Tennessee as their out of conference schedule. Junior quarterback Jaylen Bester has done a great job at filling the shoes of Deandre Smith, throwing for 1,650 yards and 18 total touchdowns in 6 games played. The Greeneville Christian offense looks similar to last season, but has learned to live without some of their big play makers from last season. Defensively, the Saints ride into the semifinals with 2 shutouts in the last two weeks. This is a stout team with great coaching that should be expected to play for a championship this year.   With a run game spearheaded by junior back Lamarion Buchanon, the Trojans find themselves in the semifinals after losing to Greeneville Christian last season. Playing another tough schedule this season, Central Holmes Christian won their first round playoff game and enters with only a loss to Canton Academy out of all playoff teams. While the Trojans have had a lot of success this season, this isa young team that should return a lot of its current talent for a big run next year. Sophomore defensive linemen Carson Burrell and Bryan Gallagher have built up a nice defensive front, and their experience this season will pay dividends for next year. Look for the Trojans to come ready to play against Greenville Christian and seeking revenge.

While the public schools have kicked off their playoffs or are starting this week, the MAIS leagues are already getting even closer to championship time. Win or go home, these teams have come along way from week one. Today, we dive into our championship projections, players to watch, and keys to each team left in the 2022 MAIS playoffs across regions 3A through 6A.