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Simpson Academy Cougars defeated Starkville Academy Volunteers 26-7 in Friday night’s, November 10, 2023 game, clinching a trip to the MAIS 5A Championship game.
Simpson will play Adams County Christian (ACCHS) for the championship beginning at 7 PM at Jackson Academy.
Starting the season with back to back loses, the young Cougar team never gave up and continued to become stronger. Following the loss of 22 seniors, many felt this was a “building” year. Apparently, Coach Todd Mangum felt the building needed to happen now and continued to believe in his team.
“We Believe” became a rallying call for the team and supporters.
Quarterback Barrett McKenney scored 2 touchdowns; Hayes Berry 1 TD; and Ben Kennedy 1 TD. The offensive and defensive lines continue to grind allowing the Cougars to score and keeping the Volunteers at bay.
ACCHS defeated Copiah Academy 21-14 in a hard fought battle. All scoring between the two teams took place in the 4th quarter.
In the words of Chris Caughman: “Years ending in 3 have been great to Cougar football over the years. State Champs 1973, 2003, 2013, now let’s go add 2023!! In baseball they call the kids who love to get dirty, who will scrap all game long, who give all they got on every play, they call them “dirt bags”. We got a lot of doggone “dirt bags” on this team and man have they been fun to watch! “
MageeNews.com is an online news website covering Simpson and surrounding counties as well as the State of Mississippi.
Head Coach and Athletic Director: Todd Mangum
Assistant Coaches: Chaucer Funchess, Jarrod Jordan, Matt Lee, Randy McIntyre, and Terry Underwood
Trainer: Jonathan Pierce
Headmaster: Nick Lee
