Briarfield Academy returns to MAIS Class 1A championship game

Published 10:25 pm Friday, November 15, 2024

Briarfield Academy is one step away from getting back to the top of the mountain.

Hayden Smith scored four touchdowns ­— two receiving and two rushing — and Briarfield’s defense pitched a shutout in the second half to beat Claiborne Academy 38-16 in the MAIS Class 1A semifinals on Friday.

Ryder Jones also scored a touchdown for Briarfield (11-1), which trailed 16-14 at halftime. Smith caught a touchdown pass on the first play of the third quarter and the Rebels never looked back.

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Briarfield advanced to the Class 1A championship for the fifth time in eight seasons, and will be looking for its fourth title.

It will face Wilkinson County Christian Academy, which beat Lee Academy (Arkansas) 22-14 in the other semifinal on Friday.

Briarfield beat WCCA 30-28 when the teams played in the regular-season finale Oct. 25.

The Class 1A championship game is Friday, Nov. 22, at 10:30 a.m. at Jackson Academy.