Compared to last season, Porter’s Chapel Academy has not had an easy time so far in 2024.

The Eagles have lost some games, adjusted their offensive scheme to fit new players, and tried to get young players acclimated to varsity football. Not surprisingly, it’s been an up-and-down process that’s resulted in a 3-3 record at the midway point of the season.

The Eagles are right where they need to be, though — still standing, 1-0 in their district, and with a chance to add some MAIS power points to their total during a soft stretch of the schedule that begins Friday night on the road against winless Tensas Academy (0-6).

“We accomplished what we wanted to accomplish last week, which was to go 1-0 in the district. We’re still in a position to control our own destiny,” PCA coach Blake Purvis said. “I think the way in which we won that game, having to come from behind and really battle and fight through adversity, should give us some momentum going forward.”

That last game was a 22-20 victory over Park Place that PCA had to grind and claw every inch of the way for. PCA was shut out in the first half and then overcame a 20-8 deficit in the second.

Although he hopes bigger wins are ahead, Purvis said it was a signature victory and a turning point for a team whose roster is loaded with underclassmen and first-time varsity players.

“A road win. A good opponent. A district win. And then coming from behind after getting shut out in the first half. That’s the first time that’s happened to us this year. And then being two scores behind and coming back from that — twice, actually,” Purvis said. “On a lot of levels it was a really great win and a sign, hopefully, of some maturity and development by a lot of these young guys to get in a game like that and come out on top.”

The victory over Park Place also moved PCA running back Jase Jung closer to a place in Warren County football history.

Jung carried the ball 32 times for 300 yards and three touchdowns — his third 300-yard rushing game of the season. He now has 1,685 yards and 21 touchdowns, and for his high school career has 4,395 yards and 60 TDs.

The Warren County single-season records are 2,238 yards by Warren Central’s Brian Darden in 1994, and 33 touchdowns by WC’s Carl Blue in 1979. Darden has both career records, with 4,919 yards and 74 TDs.

Jung is averaging 27 carries per game. At his current pace, and with two struggling teams up next on the schedule, he could break all of those records as soon as next week’s homecoming game against Hillcrest Christian.

Purvis said Jung’s outstanding season has flowed from a confluence of factors — a dominant offensive line that returned every starter; a run-heavy offense that flows through Jung; and close games that haven’t provided the luxury of giving Jung a lot of breathers. Jung is averaging 27 carries per game.

“To say I didn’t expect this, I don’t know would necessarily be fair. He rushed for 2,000 yards last year in addition to us throwing 40 touchdown passes and passing for 2,000 yards or whatever it was. We knew the potential was there,” Purvis said. “We returned our entire offensive line. Any time you return your entire offensive line as a 2,000-yard running back you probably feel like you’re going to be able to run with some success.”

FRIDAY’S AREA GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m.
Madison Central at Warren Central (Radio: 105.5 FM)
Porter’s Chapel at Tensas Academy (Radio: 104.5 FM)
Central Hinds at St. Aloysius (Radio: 101.3 FM)
Vicksburg at Yazoo City (Radio: 107.7 FM)
Prairie View Academy at Tallulah Academy
Port Gibson at Crystal Springs