Football Preview: Holy Spirit Prep Cougars

The Holy Spirit Prep Cougars play in the GIAA and spent last year playing in the GIAA 8-Man Region 1. The team went undefeated in their region and locked up a top-three seed in the playoffs. The Cougars defeated John Hancock Academy 37-12 in the first round of the playoffs and made it to the semifinals before losing to Windsor Academy. The Cougars had their most wins in 2023 since 2011-2012, when they won a state championship against Christian Heritage. Head coach Mark Stafford has improved the program each season he has been at the helm. Holy Spirit Prep went from winless in his first season to now one of the better programs in GIAA 8-Man. In 2024, there will be an expansion to the playoffs bracket as GIAA voted to add two more teams, making it a 10-team playoff, opposed from the previous eight-team playoff.

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Going into next season, Holy Spirit won’t have two of its All-State players from last season. Running back Jacob Meder and linebacker Will Messer both graduated after stellar senior campaigns. The Cougars will return their standout receiver Dylan Craig who is 6-foot-3, 195 pounds and is dynamic in the open field. Offensively, they also will return quarterback Ben Messer who had a productive season as a passer. In 2023, the Cougars’ offense averaged 44 points per game and crossed 70 points twice in back-to-back games against Monsignor Donovan and Notre Dame Academy. Holy Spirit Prep now looks to build on a record-setting season in 2023.

Head Coach: Mark Stafford

Coach Record: 16-20

2023 Record: 9-2

2023 Region Record: 3-0

2023 Region: GIAA 8-Man Region 1

2024 Region: GIAA 8-Man Region 1

Stadium Name: N/A

2024 Schedule:

8/23 @ Horizon

8/30 vs. Covenant

9/6 vs. St. Mary’s

9/13 vs. Westminster Christian

9/20 @ Westminster Augusta

9/27 @ Monsignor Donovan

10/4 vs. Harvester Christian

10/18 @ St. Mary’s

10/25 vs. John Hancock

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