Lamar School has a chance to clinch something that hasn’t been done since 2019.

They have a shot at winning the district championship, but it’s going to be tough.

The Raiders will host Leake Academy Friday night at Grey Cobb in a key MAIS District 2-5A contest of two teams with very explosive offenses. If Lamar wins they will clinch the district title for the first time in five seasons.

“If we can win, then we would be district champions. It won’t be easy though,” said Lamar School coach Jacob Land. “Leake has a tremendous offense that puts up 40+ points a game.”

The Raiders (5-3, 2-0 MAIS District 2-5A) will bring in a very explosive offense that is averaging 30.4 points, 230.1 yards passing, and 128.7 yards rushing led by quarterback and Jones College commit Wyatt Bond (1,811 yards passing, 20 touchdowns), running backs Ashton Jones and Kellan Kerley, along with receivers Jalin Trotter (886 yards receiving, 11 touchdowns) and Sullivan Reed.

Linebackers Tyler Brown, Kellan Kellery and Luke Morrow, along with Mikael Willis and Trotter in the secondary, lead a Lamar defense that allows 19.4 points per game.

“They’ve got weapons everywhere. Wilcox is impressive, he can make every throw. His arm strength is incredible. You put him with those receivers like Nowell and Weaver then they are unstoppable,” Land said. “The last few games their offensive line has really taken over games and the run game has become a serious threat. You’ve got to account for every player. It’s going to be extremely difficult and a major challenge for our defense.

“We must execute at a high level on offense. Last year we were very sloppy and turned it over at critical times. Defensively we must play with unwavering confidence because they’ll make plays. We must keep playing and doing our job every play and not let the last play ruin the next,” he said.

Leake Academy (5-3, 1-0) is also anchored by a very potent offense that averages 41.3 points, 277.3 yards passing, and 148.4 yards rushing led by quarterback George Wilcox (2,218 yards passing, 27 touchdowns), running back Garrett Adcock and receivers Matthew Nowell (831 yards receiving, 18 touchdowns) and Matthan Weaver (827 yards, 6 touchdowns).

Linebackers Coby Kemp and Tyler Winstead, along with defensive end Grayson McDonald, lead the Leake defense that gives up 20.9 points per game.

“In big games like this you can’t make mistakes with turnovers and penalties, that’s the most important thing,” said Leake Academy coach Brian Pickens. “On offense we have to take what the defense gives us and be patient. Move the chains and don’t rely on the big play. We have to establish the run game and maybe some big plays open up. Defensively we’re going to have to be sound and stay disciplined. Lamar’s offense is very explosive and really good, so we have to prevent the big play.”

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