RMA’s Varsity Football team claimed the title of NCISAA 8-Man Football Champions right before Thanksgiving. (The NCISAA is the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association and includes 96 private schools, though not all have football teams). With a successful regular season, RMA started as the #3 seed but still faced off against many difficult teams on the way to victory. Entering the playoffs, RMA faced #6 Pope John Paul II Catholic School, winning 22-15. We then played #2 Halifax Academy, winning 56-42 and qualifying for the championship game against #1 seed Wayne Christian School.

On the afternoon of Friday, November 17, students, teachers, and parents lined the road with signs and pompoms. As the team headed to the state championship at Arendell Parrott Academy, a neutral zone, they rode in style in a charter bus (thank you to Donnie Tharrington, a friend of RMA, who generously hired the bus for us!) and even had a sheriff’s escort thanks to Capt. Jeff Sherrod (father of senior lineman Parker Sherrod).  

The game was just as exciting for the spectators as it was for the players. Despite the hour-long drive, the student section showed their Eagle pride. Many Upper School students drove themselves to the game, and RMA Athletics also offered students in grades 6-12 a ride to Kinston on the spirit bus. Embracing the blackout theme, some of the 10th and 11th boys wore ski masks so as to be entirely blacked out. 

Giving it their all, the team did not disappoint, claiming the win with a score of 38-32, largely thanks to our outstanding seniors. Marti Mcknight rushed 163 yards and scored 2 touchdowns. Rushing 71 yards, Cam Dawkins, scored 2 touchdowns as well. The RMA defense was strong with Parker Sherrod having 1 sack, a tackle for loss, and 5 tackles; Jordan Wright with 1 sack, a tackle for loss, and 4 tackles; and Wyatt Wells (junior) with 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, and 5 tackles. 

As the clock hit 30 seconds and the Eagles secured the win, all the students and parents waited to storm the field and celebrate with the 2023 State Champions. All the smiles, hugs, tears, and proud parents made the moment bittersweet for the players–especially our seniors, Marti Mcknight, Isaac Calhoun, Cooper Epps, Jordan Wright, Ben Pitt, and Parker Sherrod, who played their very last high school football game. Micah Boseman, a junior lineman, says, “Football isn’t going to be the same without them. They have taught me and the rest of my teammates so much about leadership and about the game of football in general.” 

Congratulations to the football team, coaches, and the parents of the football players whose support made this all possible!