Top Performers Left Off Private School Pre Season Selections
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As teams get to the midway point of their seasons a lot of the top players have started to emerge from each team in MAIS (private school league). One school that had no selections on the preseason all conference team…
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Continue ReadingAs teams get to the midway point of their seasons a lot of the top players have started to emerge from each team in MAIS (private school league). One school that had no selections on the preseason all conference team on offense, defense, or 2nd team selections was the Jackson Academy Raiders. Now the Raiders are 6-1 through the first 7 games of the year, and here are 6 players that have stood out making spectacular plays all season long.
Merritt Nations
5’8 160 WR/RB
Nations has been coming up big for the Raiders all season long. He is a swiss army knife on offense moving from receiver to running back with ease putting up huge numbers in the transition. Merritt is the type of player that you only have to tell him once how to do something and he looks like a master of the craft. He is small in stature, but plays the game with a lot of heart. First game of the season started out with 111 yards on 7 receptions with a touchdown, and just last week ran for 150 yards on 8 carries with 2 touchdowns at running back. He just has a knack for making the big play; his short area quickness makes him hard to guard at receiver. He also possesses great hands, and overall knowledge of the games plays a large part in his success. Nations suffered a season ending ankle injury that may take him out of the postseason all conference teams, but anybody that has watched this kid play will agree he would have made the team.
Adams Kennedy 6’1 220 LB
Kennedy is what you would call an old school “Mike” linebacker from his stature to the way he bigs the thunder when he tackles. He is the quarterback of the defense for Coach Duggan (30 year college coach veteran) which is complex for any high school kid to grasp. Kennedy is sitting at 104 tackles thus far through 7 games which is incredible, and only getting better game by game as he continues to learn the defense. Adams is a student of the game diagnosing plays very quickly by reading his keys and attacking. He is also a very effective blitzer coming off the edge or up the middle disrupting offenses. I look for Kennedy to finish the season with the school record for tackles, and may even break MAIS record for tackles this season. He should be a consensus postseason All Conference player.
Kiandre Terry Kiandre Terry 6'0" | 160 lbs | WR Jackson Academy | 2024 State MS 6′ 160 WR/DB
Kiandre recently transferred to Jackson Academy from Terry High school and has made an immediate impact on the Raider’s football team. In his first game for the Raider he caught the team’s first touchdown of the season on a 22 yard reception right before the half. On the play to watch the move at the line of scrimmage he put on the defender was masterful, he shook the defender so bad that he fell down making it an easy completion. Terry’s elite quickness creates separation, he has great ball skills being able to track a ball over the top of his head and off target passes, and lastly he has elite hands especially in traffic. He catches contested balls well and understands the game well allowing him to play fast. Unquestionably one of the best route runners in the state. He is being used all around the field for the Raiders from receiver, running back, return man, and at defensive back at times. He was a big time addition to this team and fits right in with 140 total yards in his 3rd game. He has played in 4 games and has 3 touchdowns already plus a 90 yard kickoff return in his 3rd game. In his last game he made a sportscenter worthy type of catch to add to his highlight reel type season. Look for Terry to continue to build on the early success and landing on a post season all conference team for his efforts.
DJ Watkins DJ Watkins 5'11" | 160 lbs | DB Jackson Academy | 2025 State MS 5’11 CB/ATH
Watkins is the definition of a true athlete being able to play multiple positions at a very high level. He lines up at cornerback on defense every play and has 4 interceptions through 7 games. Defenses really don’t try to throw his way if possible due to his elite ball skills. He is a converted junior high receiver that now plays corner so taking the same skills that made him good at receiver also helps him out in the defensive backfield. He also plays on offense at receiver or wildcat quarterback and he is a threat to take it the distance on every single play with his great speed. Not sure what he runs in the 40 yard dash, but just by watching the kid run you can tell he has some major wheels. Against MRA he almost returned a few kicks darting through the defense in amazing fashion. This kid is probably the best DB c/o 25 in the whole state of Mississippi and should be a national prospect after this year. No question this kid will be on the postseason all conference team when it is released.
Dereon Albert Dereon Albert 6'3" | 255 lbs | DL Jackson Academy | 2026 State MS 6’3 280 DL
Albert is one of the most polarizing figures in MAIS. This is one big kid that is only a freshman in high school, but you wouldn’t believe it by just looking at him. He is the heart and soul of the Raiders top ranked defense, and when he is not in the game the difference is easy to see. Albert is already massive in size, but what sets him apart is his quickness and great hands he plays with which is extremely unusual for such a young player. He reminds me a lot of Jerrell Powe who is arguably the most talented defensive lineman to ever come through the state of Mississippi. At that size it is so hard to find a kid that can move that quick off the ball as Albert does, and when he’s up for it will wreck an offense all by himself. As he continues to mature and gain strength to go along with his weight this kid will be a national prospect. He is probably the best defensive lineman in the state of Mississippi c/o 26 garnering attention from D1 programs such as Mississippi State & Southern Miss. He is currently sitting at 61 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, and 5 sacks through 7 games and will unquestionably make the postseason all conference team.
AJ Parker 5’11 190 LB/RB
Parker is one of the unforgettable players on the Jackson Academy team that plays a huge part in their success on defense. Parker’s size will not jump off the charts at you, but his athleticism and instincts are unquestionable. Even when he diagnoses a play late his instincts take over and he makes plays all over the field in crucial moments. He is probably their fastest player on the team gauging by his 100 meter dash time from last year which isn’t common for a linebacker. He is very versatile also playing a lot of running back last game racking up 120 yards on 12 carries last game, and just barely missing a 99 yard touchdown run vs MRA on a shoestring tackle. Parker is one of those kids that loves the grind and loves to work to get what he wants. He continues to get better week after week and becomes a leader on the defensive side of the ball. Due to injuries he has moved to some tailback duties which he played in junior varsity and averaged 12.3 yards per carry. Parker sits at 66 tackles through 7 games and 10 tackles for loss; If he continues on his current trajectory don’t be surprised to see his name on a postseason all conference team.
Omarean Ellis 6’1 180 RB
At first glance at Ellis you would think he is a younger version of Derrick Henry judging by his height and dreads hanging out the back of his helmet. Ellis started the year out on fire rushing for a 100 yards and a touchdown in his high school debut. He was a stand out for junior varsity last year and it certainly has carried over to his high school career. Ellis’s speed is what stands out immediately when watching him, and his agility is above average as well. He had a game winning touchdown run against Leake Academy 2nd game of the season on a sweep play where he reversed field and made defenders miss racing for a 58 yard touchdown. He has 264 yards and 5 touchdowns in 4 games played, but suffered a season ending foot injury. Look for Ellis to come back strong next year coming off a strong start to his sophomore year.