Russell Christian Academy's John Benny Jones, on the ground, and Gabe Brinson (26) combine to tackle a Tuscaloosa Christian ball carrier during their game Friday, Aug. 20, 2021, at RCA.

Zagar Cooper had a rushing touchdown, a passing touchdown and a field goal for Lamar, but the Raiders dropped their season opener to Heritage Academy 42-16 in Friday night prep football action.

Cooper kicked a field goal and had a rushing touchdown in the first half for the Raiders, and he also hit Davis McBrayer for a long touchdown pass with 7:23 to go in the third quarter. Heritage Academy, though, scored 14 unanswered points after McBrayer’s touchdown to win comfortably. 

The Raiders (0-1) will travel to Starkville Academy next week.

RUSSELL CHRISTIAN 34, TUSCALOOSA CHRISTIAN 0  

John Benny Jones was a wrecking ball on offense and defense as the Warriors shut out Tuscaloosa Christian at home Friday to open their season.

Jones finished with 70 yards rushing and two touchdowns and 63 receiving yards, and he also led the Russell Christian Academy defense with 16 tackles, one blocked punt and one fumble recovery.

“He’s just a pistol; he’s tough,” RCA head coach Andy Braddock said of Jones. “I expected him to have a great night on defense. He’s so defensive minded and has great instincts. He led the team in tackles last year, and I figured he’d do the same this year, but when we needed first downs — those few yards to move the chains — he came through. He had an awesome night.”

Micah Taylor had 105 yards and one touchdown passing at quarterback for RCA. Defensively, Duke Moore tallied two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and four tackles for the Warriors. Kameron Darden finished with eight tackles for RCA.

“We struggled in the first half,” Braddock said. “Our bread and butter is our passing game, spreading it out and passing it, but that was hard to do because it was wet. Plus, Tuscaloosa was sending their linebackers all night, and we were having a hard time getting the snaps back with Micah in the shotgun. There was no way to get a long pass off, and anything we could get had to be short, and it wasn’t working for us.”

Because of that, the RCA coaches opted to make a change at halftime.

“We decided we’d go old-school, I formation and pound it at them,” Braddock said. “When all else fails, go back to old school.”

The Warriors (1-0) will travel to Ezekiel Academy in Montgomery, Alabama, next week.

OTHER SCORES

•Calhoun Academy 16, Newton County Academy 14

•Porter’s Chapel 42, Kemper Academy 0