Greenville Christian School coach Jon Reed McLendon and his Saints have set their sights high this season. They are looking to not only defend their MAIS Class 3A state championship, but they also are looking to prove that they belong at the top of all levels of Mississippi private school football.
GCS will get their first big test this Friday when they travel to Jackson to take on Madison-Ridgeland Academy. The Patriots won the Class 6A state championship last November and are the favorites to win it again this year.
The Saints’ schedule does not get any easier either. Next week they will head back on the road to take on Jackson Prep. They then travel to J.Z. George on Aug. 27 before traveling to Georgia to play Alpharetta High School on Sept 3rd.
Greenville Christian won’t have a home game until Sept. 10 when they face Hillcrest Christian.
“We are playing against the best because we want to see how we match up,” Coach McLendon said. “They are very talented, and they are definitely going to have to depth. But talent wise, I think we can put 11 on the field to match up with them.”
Two of the Saints’ biggest stars are quarterback Deandre “DJ” Smith and defensive end J.D. Stewart. Smith and Stewart said Friday’s game will give their fellow teammates a chance to showcase their skills to the entire state. The matchup between the Saints and the Patriots is one of only a few games that will be played this week in the entire state. Most schools in the MAIS begin their seasons next week.
“Last season, they said we didn’t play anybody,” Stewart said. “People said we weren’t any good, but now we are going to see. “I really respect MRA for playing us. Most teams were scared to play us so that is why I think it is going to be a good game.”
The Saints coach said MRA is especially talented offensively. Dalton Davis, who scored 14 touchdowns last season, leads a talented receiving core. At running back, Tylor Latham is back after running for more than 800 yards last season. Greenville Christian is familiar with MRA quarterback John White, who transferred from Winona Christian last season.
For the Saints to be effective, McLendon said his players will have to rise to the occasion. This is especially true for the Saints defense which is led by linebacker Daishun Scott, defensive back Vamario McGee amd defensive back Jaterrious Elam.
Offensively, the Saints are counting on wide receiver Will Riley and running back Marlon Palmer to build upon their impressive performances last season.
“This game is going to be real fun for the kids. We are going to be playing in a big time environment.
