By Robert Wilson
Madison-Ridgeland Academy sophomore offensive lineman Caleb Unger already has eight Division I offers.
Defending MHSAA Class 7A state champion Oak Grove High found out why Friday night.
The 6-foot-2, 280-pound Unger led the way as MRA neutralized Oak Grove’s talented defensive line and helped pave the way as MRA had 498 total offensive yards and defeated Oak Grove 51-13, the most points Oak Grove had given up in 15 seasons.
For his outstanding performance, Unger has been named the Junction Deli/Mississippi Scoreboard Metro Jackson Football Player of the Week.
It is rare for an offensive lineman to receive this honor, but Unger is a rare player. In fact, MRA coach Herbert Davis considers Unger in the same league as former MRA star and NFL offensive lineman Saahdiq Charles.
“Caleb has those quick feet like Charles,” Davis said. “He has the same tools, but not quite as tall as Charles is. Caleb’s footwork is great. He played basketball as a youngster and that helped him develop quick feet. He’s physical and very strong. Caleb started one game for us against Jackson Academy as an eighth grader. He started for us last season. Caleb is getting stronger and more comfortable and is getting better at his fundamentals.
“Caleb was so good last week against Oak Grove and No. 95 (6-4, 280-pound senior defensive tackle and Ole Miss commitment Andrew Maddox, rated No. 13 player in Mississippi in the Class of 2025 by 247 Sports). We grade our players on assignment, effort and technique and Caleb was tremendous. Oak Grove’s down four defensive linemen are really good, and our offensive line did a great job against them, and Caleb led the way.”
MRA had 389 total yards in the first half and led 41-13 at halftime. The Patriots scored in the first minute of the second half and there was a running clock for the rest of the game.
Unger has Division I offers from Southern Miss, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley, Baylor, Memphis, Tulane, Central Arkansas, and Arkansas State.
“Caleb graded out 85 percent Friday night, which is a good grade,” MRA offensive line coach Kenny Williams said. “Our offensive front did a great job of protecting our quarterback Samuel Stockett and he hardly got touched against Oak Grove. Caleb is only a sophomore, so he has plenty of room for growth and maturity. He has great potential. His feet and hands are so good. Caleb knows how to get great leverage and foot position and cover you up in space.”
MRA scored more than 50 points for the fourth time in six games this season. It was the most points allowed by Oak Grove since a South Panola 56-14 win in the 2009 Class 6A state championship game.
MRA has less than a quarter of the students in grades 9-12 as Oak Grove (about 400 students to about 1,800 students), but Friday night it was the Patriots who was the dominating team.
Unger is the son of Conesha Coleman and Luther Unger. Conesha attended Louisville High and played the clarinet and was a flag girl. Luther attended McAdams High. Unger has many aunts and uncles who played sports at McAdams and Louisville High Schools. Unger’s cousin Deandre’ Eiland played football and track and field at Tupelo High and South Carolina. Eiland was a sixth-round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2004. He played for the Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams and Amsterdam Admirals in NFL Europe.
Class 6A MRA, 5-1, plays Class 5A East Rankin Academy on Oct. 4 before playing defending 6A state champion and undefeated Hartfield Oct. 11 at MRA. Hartfield, 6-0, has won 20 games in a row. MRA came the closest to beating Hartfield during the winning streak, losing 63-56 in the regular season last year.
Mississippi Scoreboard selects a football player from Hinds, Madison, or Rankin counties each week. Coaches can nominate a player by text or call to Robert Wilson at 601.506.2276.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
WEEK ONE: Samuel Stockett, MRA
WEEK TWO: Billy Puckett, Jackson Prep
WEEK THREE: James Farr, Clinton
WEEK FOUR: Tyshun Willis, Velma Jackson
WEEK FIVE: Josef Walker, Clinton
