By Robert Wilson
Jackson Prep soccer coach Jon Marcus Duncan won his 750th career game Thursday night with a 3-1 MAIS Class 6A boys win over Madison-Ridgeland Academy at Prep.
But Duncan is looking for another more important number – 15 – this season.
Duncan’s Mississippi record streak of 10 consecutive boys state championships was broken by Jackson Academy last season and he wants to get back to the winner’s circle. If he wins this year’s state title, Duncan will have 15 boys state championships.
Prep played like a state champion Tuesday in Duncan’s No. 750th win.
“I thought it was our most complete game from start to finish,” Duncan said. “Our midfield play tonight was great. Defensively, we were solid as well. We got contributions from everyone who stepped on the field.”
Cam Moore scored to give Prep a 1-0 lead early in the game. Elliot Davis put Prep up 2-0 right before halftime. Wat Rutledge scored on a penalty kick for a 3-0 lead in the second half.
Prep improved to 9-3-1 overall, 4-1 in conference play. Prep plays JA at home Saturday and Hartfield Academy at Prep Monday. Hartfield is 13-0 overall and 7-0 in league play and defeated Prep 3-2 in a shootout earlier this season.
Duncan, a Prep and Mobile College graduate, has a 750-147-68 overall record – a remarkable 83.6 winning percentage – and 27 state titles in his 22 seasons at Prep. He has a 409-71-27 boys record and a 341-76-31 girls record.
“Jackson Prep has been a special place for me for a long, long time, as a student, coach and parent,” Duncan said. “The support from this faculty and administration is second to none I want to thank Prep, basically my second family. To every player that has put on a Prep soccer uniform, y’all are the best and I want to thank them for buying into the process. The assistant coaches that have been beside me have been the best. My immediate family, their support is unreal, allowing me to do what I love. 750 is a big number, but every win is special. I hope I have 750 more in me.”
Duncan won No. 500 on Feb. 5, 2015 in a 2-0 victory over MRA.
Duncan, 45, is second in Mississippi history in career combined boys and girls wins
