MAIS teams prepare for scrimmages

It is a whole new world for much of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. As high school football teams in the MAIS began fall practice this week, they did so with former members of the Mississippi High School Athletic Association joining and with a new 4A division for the largest teams. Individually teams are dealing with replacing seniors and finding that combination that might take them to state.

Northeast Louisiana is ripe with MAIS teams preparing for scrimmages this week. River Oaks, Riverfield, Prairie View Academy, Union Christian and Claiborne Academy prepare for the season.

Riverfield had one of the best seasons in recent memory in 2014 but must replace 15 seniors including quarterback Tristan Oswald and his top wide receivers from a year ago' Marc Simmons and Brendan Morris.

Joseph Morris will step under center this fall after a great spring in which the senior was 15 of 19 for 357 yards and six touchdowns.

"He (Morris) got some playing time last year and he has bought into our offense," Riverfield coach Boyd Cole said."

Riverfield has seen four lineman either transfer or go down with injury prior to the season. That has not been discouraging to Cole. The defense will return 10 of the 11 starters from a year ago.

"It is tough to lose four players like that," Cole said. "But I have not been disappointed in our guys we do have."

The Raiders will host a Scrimmage on Friday against River Oaks, Claiborne, Prairie View and St. Aloysius of Vicksburg.

St. Aloysius is one of the MHSAA teams joining Riverfield in 3A this season.

River Oaks will turn around the following week and host a five team jamboree August 13 also to include Claiborne, Riverdale, Glenbrook and Prairie View.

The Mustangs must replace 15 seniors from the 2014 team. Jacob Griggs and Will Sherrill are expected to carry a load of the offense at both running back and wide receiver.

"The first few practices went well," River Oaks coach Robert Hannah said. "A lot of the new kids seem to be coming around."

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