Patriots lose heartbreaker

A loss Friday night in the home opener was a hard pill to swallow for Marshall Academy (MA).

Winona Christian School used a 34-yard Hail Mary pass to the back of the end zone with one second left in the game to exit Holly Springs, a 16-14 winner.

“It shouldn’t have come down to that,” said Jake Hill, head coach of the Patriots. “We beat us, the entire game, from the first quarter to the fourth quarter. We have to be better, and we will be better.”

Penalties and other botched plays proved costly for MA, some of those coming down the stretch.

“We had chances to get first downs and had a penalty or a busted assignment,” he said. “Mistakes got us. We have to clean up ourselves.”

The Patriots scored both touchdowns in the first half and led 14-10 at intermission.

Zane Hill threw 7 yards to Brayden Thompson for six, and Gage Todd ran the ball to the end zone from 18 yards out for the other touchdown. Noah Olguin drilled both extra-point kicks.

The four-point lead held until the Stars’ stunning game-winner.

“Defensively, we had chances to make plays and get off the field, and we didn’t,” Coach Hill said. “Offensively, our snaps were off at times, and we missed blocking assignments. The whole game we had opportunities to make plays, and we didn’t.”

The Patriots (0-2) travel to Clarksdale to face Lee Academy (2-1) this Friday night.