Are you ready for some football?
Well, it’s here and two defending state champions will kick off the 2026 season in the annual MAIS Week 0 slate as defending Class 4A, Division I state champion Jackson Academy heads up to Madden to face defending Class 3A, Division I state champion Leake Academy.
Both teams will also be breaking in new starting quarterbacks as JA will have Peyton Smith to lead the offense, while Leake will have Majure Chandler as the starter after missing all last season with a knee injury.
“The most important thing in the first game is execution. Go in with a plan to not beat yourself,” said Jackson Academy coach David Duggan. “We want to control and move the football on offense and in the first game don’t let the little things beat you like turnovers and penalties.”
The Raiders will lean on running back Aaric Beasley to carry the ground game, while receiver Vaiden Taylor will look to be the top target at receiver. The offensive line anchored by Ohio State commit Cayden Moss and standout junior P.J. Evans.
Linebackers Adam Alexander and Gus Summers along with defensive tackle Reid Miller will look to lead a defense that will be breaking in a whole new secondary.
““Our quarterback has gotten a lot of reps from last year, so I want to see a physical offense. Our offense will have to be effective early, so our defense can settle in. Our offensive line will be the strength. We’re big up front, got talented running backs and receivers that can go get it,” Duggan said. “Our guys are excited to play and we’re going up against a good team. Leake is a veteran team that is well coached. I am eager to see what kind of team we will be, and which player shows up and does their job especially on defense because we’ve got some other guys that got to grow up and develop.”
For Leake it’s about getting the ball to the playmakers especially the receivers in Easton Page and Gage Warren. Running back Garrett Adcock is back to lead the rushing attack.
Defensive ends Caden Monk and Joe Sockey along with linebacker Jack Johnston will lead the defense.
“It’s the first game of the season and at home, so it’ll be exciting and ready to play, and we just got to take it one play at a time and go from there,” said Leake Academy coach Brian Pickens. “Majure has had a great offseason and next week he’s got to play the way he practices all week. JA has a super team, well coached, and got a lot of talent. We’re going to do the things we got to do throughout the week to be ready and get better.”
Other MAIS Week 0 games along with Tri-County Academy jamboree.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
MAIS
Adams Christian at Bowling Green School (La.)
Amite School at Centreville Academy
Delta Streets Academy at Desoto School (Ark.)
East Rankin at Mt. Zion
Greenville St. Joseph at Kirk Academy
Heritage Christian at Prentiss Christian
Jackson Academy at Leake Academy
Kemper Academy at Newton Co. Academy
Lamar School at Simpson Academy
Lee Academy at Rossville Christian (Tenn.)
Lee Academy (Ark.) at Benton Academy
Manchester Academy at Indianola Academy
Marvell Academy (La.) at Franklin Academy (La.)
Oak Hill Academy at North Delta
Regents School of Oxford at West Memphis Christian (Ark.)
Riverdale Academy (La.) at Wilkinson Christian
Tallulah Academy (La.) at River Oaks School (La.)
Tensas Academy (La.) at Discovery Christian
Winona Christian at St. Aloysius
Winston Academy at Carroll Academy
Thursday
Jamboree
At Tri-County Academy
4 p.m. — Riverfield Academy (La.) vs. Pillow Academy
4:30 p.m. — MRA vs. Washington School
5:30 p.m. — Riverfield Academy (La.) vs. Starkville Academy
6 p.m. — MRA vs. Pillow Academy
6:30 p.m. — Washington School vs. Bayou Academy
7 p.m. — Tri-County Academy vs. Starkville Academy
8 p.m. — Tri-County Academy vs. Bayou Academy
