JACKSON — All it took for the Tallulah Academy Trojans to appreciate how hard it is to win a state championship, was to go one year without one.

After winning back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, the Trojans lost five games and bowed out in the first round of the playoffs in 2017. Rather than let their budding dynasty slip into oblivion, they retrenched and got better.

The 2018 squad is undefeated, has only had one game decided by less than 26 points, and is now one win away from a third MAIS 8-Man championship in four years. It’ll try to finish off the run in the championship game against Manchester Academy, Saturday at 11 a.m. at Jackson Academy.

“It’s not just something you think, ‘Oh, we’ve been here before and we’re supposed to be here,’” said senior quarterback Joshua Collins, who has rushed for 2,414 yards and 49 touchdowns this season. “You’re not supposed to be here. Every other school has been working hard just like we have. They have just as good a chance at winning as we do.”

This is Tallulah’s fourth trip to the championship game in five seasons since it joined the 8-Man division in 2014. It has gone 52-8 in that span and can complete its second undefeated season in three years by winning Saturday.

This year’s seniors — Paris, quarterback Joshua Collins, defensive end Parker Morgan and receiver Logan Tullos — contributed a little bit to the previous championship teams but were not big stars. A fifth senior, receiver Grahm Tweedle, transferred to the school this year.

That has made this run mean a little more, they said.

“I played in the second state championship, but I didn’t play a whole lot. It was cool, but this one would mean 10 times more than what that one could ever mean because I’ve contributed to this team a whole lot compared to the other team,” Paris said.

Tallulah has defied a lot of odds on its way to building its 8-Man dynasty. It won one game in 2013 in its last year as an 11-man program and then reached the 8-Man championship game in 2014.

After that it has endured some roster turnover — 13 seniors graduated after the 2016 title — and constant coaching changes. Annon Etheridge is in his second year as head coach, marking the first time during this five-year run that Tallulah has had the same coach in back-to-back seasons.

“I’ve had a different coach every year since seventh grade. I’ve always liked the coaches we’ve gotten. We’ve gotten used to it,” Collins said.

Oddly, players said the coaching changes have had some benefits. Despite learning a new system every year, it’s taught them to rely on themselves as much as what their coaches teach them in order to succeed.

“Coaches leave and go and we get new ones, and I think the team comes closer together. We’ve learned more to depend on each other rather than a coach for next year,” senior defensive end Parker Morgan said. “Josh (Collins) knows how fast someone is so he can throw a route a certain way and stuff like that. Each person knows each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”

And now the Trojans are one win away from making history. Since the MAIS started its 8-Man division in 2009, no school has won more than two championships. Tallulah is the first to reach the championship game four times.

Standing in the way is Manchester Academy (12-0), which is in its first season as an 8-Man team. Like Tallulah, it has been destroying opponents on its way to Jackson. The Mavericks’ closest game was a 30-12 victory over DeSoto School in the regular-season finale on Oct. 26.

Paris expected this to be the toughest game either team has played and, unlike previous contests, a close one.

“They’re a hard-hitting team and I give all of them respect. When we play them it’s not going to be a blowout. It’s going to be a closer game,” Paris said. “But like our coach says, our biggest enemy is ourselves. If you just keep your head cool and do your job like you’re supposed to, that’s how you win games.”

MAIS 8-MAN CHAMPIONSHIP
• Saturday, 11 a.m., at Jackson Aca.
• Manchester Academy (12-0) vs. Tallulah Academy (12-0)
Online: The game will be live streamed on raidernetwork.org, and for live updates follow us at twitter.com/vixpostsports