Porter’s Chapel opens football season on the road at Kemper Academy

DEKALB, Miss. (VDN) — Porter’s Chapel Academy will look to start its 2025 football season on a high note tonight on the road when the Eagles travel to Kemper Academy for their season opener. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The matchup marks the first meeting between the schools since 2022, when PCA earned a decisive 55-12 victory. The Eagles are aiming to carry over momentum from last season, when they went 8-5 and advanced to the second round of the playoffs under longtime head coach Blake Purvis, now entering his 10th year leading the program.

This year’s squad will feature several new faces in key positions. One of the biggest changes comes at quarterback, where senior Chad Fuson will step under center after spending last season as a standout in the secondary.

“I plan on hitting all my targets this year and leading the team to many wins,” Fuson said.

The Eagles will also rely on veteran leadership in the trenches. Senior offensive lineman Jackson Blackmon said the team has been preparing to set the tone physically.

“We have a lot of guys stepping up now, and I’ve been working hard on my strength and conditioning so we’re ready for anything,” Blackmon said.

Other players expected to play major roles include Lakelan Pecanty, Schaffer Bell and Auston Moore.

Kemper Academy finished 3-8 in 2024 and will host tonight’s matchup. With both teams eager to open strong, the winner will gain valuable momentum heading into Week 2 of the season.