Briarfield Academy Wins the State Championship

JACKSON, Miss. – Briarfield Academy is now the MAIS 1A State Champions after defeating Wilkinson County Christian 32-18 on Friday. 

Briarfield Academy’s William Woodall and Calvin Barnes came down with multiple big stops in the first quarter as Jack Woodall had a huge pass deflection that kept the score at 0-0.

On the first play of the second quarter, Jack Woodall ran for an 82-yard touchdown to get the Rebels on the board. Quarterback Brock Johnson ran in the successful 2-point conversion to put the score at 8-0.

As the Rams went on offense they began to move the ball down the field until they fumbled and BA’s Jack Martin recovered the ball. Johnson then connected with Ryder Jones on a 35-yard pass. Jack Woodall then carried the ball to the 4-yard line just before Trecin Baker scored on the next play from a short run to give BA the 14-0 lead.

A successful hook and ladder by WCC got them inside the five-yard line just before Easton Buteaux caught a touchdown to put the score at 14–6.

With under a minute left before halftime, Johnson threw a 35-yard pass to Ryder Jones. A few plays later Johnson scored on a 13-yard run that put BA ahead 20-6.

Coming out of halftime, WCC switched to their passing game where Andrew Sessions threw another touchdown to Buteaux in the first drive as they trailed 20-12. After recovering a fumble, the Rams scored again from a 25-yard touchdown pass to put things at 20-18 at the end of the third quarter.

The Rebels eventually got back on track after Jones broke out on a 37-yard run to put them inside the 10-yard line. Johnson then hit Hayden Smith for an 8-yard touchdown that gave BA a 26-18 lead.

Down by one touchdown, the Rams continued to pound the ball down the field but Luis Perez came up with a fourth down sack that gave the Rebels possession of the ball. A few plays later, Johnson threw a 70-yard touchdown to Smith to seal the win for BA.

The Rebels are led by Head Coach Beau Travis and their defensive coordinator is Vicksburg native Derrick Watson.