Duncan claims win No. 500 as Prep downs MRA

MADISON – When the referee blew his whistle for the final time, ending Jackson Prep’s 2-0 boys soccer victory over Madison-Ridgeland Academy on Thursday, nearly everyone on Prep’s side of the field held up signs reading “Duncan 500.” The Jackson Prep players donned T-shirts with the same message.

In his fifthteen year as coach of Prep’s boys and girls teams, Jon Marcus Duncan became the third coach in state history to win 500 games, joining former Harrison County coach Karl Frederick, who retired with 831 wins, and current Brandon boys coach Randy West, who has 584.

“We really wanted to get it for him. And we really wanted to get it against MRA,” said Prep sophomore Brent Hall, who scored the first goal and assisted on the second. “They are one of the top teams in our league.”

Duncan also felt that getting the 500th win against a quality opponent like MRA, second-ranked in MAIS behind top-ranked Prep, made the milestone even sweeter.

“That’s a very good team over there,” he said, motioning toward the MRA side of the field. “I thought we played very well. I thought we dominated.”

Prep outshot MRA 16-4 but also had some good fortune with two MRA shots bouncing off the goal post. The first was penalty kick by Josh Jordan and the second a shot late in the game by Hunter Horton.

“It was unfortunate for them on the PK,” Duncan said. “Sometimes the post saves you and sometimes it doesn’t. It saved us twice.”

Hall put Prep up 1-0 in the 11th minute when he scored after receiving a pass from Tate Fowler that threaded between two defenders. Jacob McNeely made it 2-0 early in the second half, coverting a pass from Hall.

Duncan’s overall 15-year record for boys and girls is 500-98-45, with 10 girls championships and eight for the boys. The most recent boys championship came on the same field at MRA a year ago.

Both coaches are looking forward to the playoffs that begin Feb. 16.

“We are doing a great job going into the playoffs,” MRA coach Jeremy Short said. “We have everyone healthy, so hopefully we can make a run and see them again.”

Duncan said: “I like the direction this team is going. I love the way we are playing right now, with our composure. We are playing with a lot of passion.

“We have some weapons up top. Our midfielders are playing well, and we’re playing well from the back. Kaleb Lovertich (junior defender) has been solid all year.”

Prep is 21-4-2, including 15-0 against MAIS competition, and has clinched the top seed from the South Division for the playoffs.

Follow #MSPreps on Twitter @MSPreps.