Jackson Academy coach David Sykes made it clear.
"Without Duncan Maxwell tonight we would have been in serious trouble," he said. You probably can't argue that. Behind Maxwell's four rushing touchdowns the Raiders held off Heritage Academy 41-35 at the Brickyard on Friday to extend their state-long active winning streak to 26 games and their home winning streak to 33. Maxwell rushed for 173 yards on eight carries. "Got to give credit to everyone on offense for making great blocks and had some big runs," Maxwell said. "But we cannot come out as flat as we did tonight." Maxwell had touchdown runs of 18, 90, 8 and 30 yards for JA, which is ranked No. 1 in MAIS AAA and improved to 6-0 overall and 2-0 AAA North. Nicholas Guy had a 62-yard touchdown run in the first quarter for the Raiders, the three time defending AAA (Division I) state champions. "Offensively the running game was the difference," said Sykes of his rushing attack that had 311 yards total. "But defense I am very disappointed in what they showed tonight." Jackson Academy came in allowing 12.8 points per game and 259 yards of total offense. Heritage (2-4, 1-2) racked up 467 yards of total offense, including 250 through the air. The Patriots cut the score to 41-35 with less than a minute left after recovering an onside kick, but JA recovered the next onsides try and was able to run out the clock. "We didn't play with a lot of energy and were flat the whole night," Sykes said. "We didn't play well in any area on defense." Heritage quarterback Cade Lott passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more. Parker Dunaway had two touchdown receptions. "I am proud of how our kids fought," Heritage coach Barrett Donahoe said. "We will build off this and need to take care of business in conference play the rest of the season."
