Hill leads Patriots to win

Quarterback Zane Hill led a dominant Marshall Academy performance Friday night across the Mississippi River in Arkansas.

The senior was 17 of 21 passing for 231 yards and five touchdowns in a 41-15 win over West Memphis Christian School.

“We dominated in all three phases of the game, stayed healthy and got to play a lot of kids,” said head coach Jake Hill, whose 3-7 squad will wind up the regular season this Friday at Rossville Christian Academy (Tenn.). “I think our players are starting to build confidence in themselves and this football team. I can’t express how proud I am of them because despite having every reason to ‘throw in the towel’ on the season, they’ve continued to battle for our school and each other.”

The Patriots are on the verge of qualifying for the Mid-South Association of Independent Schools Class 3A Division II state playoffs. In the MAIS, playoff participation is based on a power point system.

“Hopefully we can finish up the regular season with a win and momentum heading into the playoffs,” Coach Hill said.

Marshall Academy led 35-0 at the half last week.

Two of Hill’s touchdown passes went to Brayden Thompson, each for 20 yards, and two more to Brennan Smith, 18 yards and 1 yard. Hill also threw to Gage Todd for a 6-yard score. The other Marshall touchdown came on Thompson’s 60-yard interception return. Noah Olguin was five of six on extra-point tries with one getting blocked.