Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
One thing you can always count on when the Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys play the Tigers of Columbia High School is that it is going to be a battle; and quite often, it's going to be a bitter one. Although, on Friday, Oct. 9, there didn't seem to be as much "bad blood" between the two teams, the competition was just as intense. In the end, the Cowboys' defensive unit proved to be the dominant force as they recorded their second shut-out in as many weeks, and their third shut-out of the year, by defeating the Tigers, 12-0, on the Tigers' home field.
The Cowboys began the contest on offense, but after going three-and out, the Tigers took over. Starting their drive from their own 25-yard line, the Tigers went backward to their own five-yard line, before punting the ball to the Cowboys. The Cowboys capped off their drive with an 18-yard touchdown pass from RJ Williams to Zechariah Jones. The two-point conversion failed and the Cowboys had a 6-0 lead with 4:36 remaining in the opening quarter. The next Tiger drive began at mid-field, but ended at their own 23-yard line when the Cowboys' defense forced the first of four turnovers on downs at the Tigers' 23-yard line. The Cowboys were unable to capitalize and went three-and-out as the first quarter came to an end.
The Tigers turned the ball over on downs at the Cowboys' 30-yard line. The Cowboys went three-and-out on their next drive and punted the ball back to the Tigers. The Tigers were unable to mount a sustained drive and the Cowboys had the ball again, at their own 32-yard line. This time, the Cowboys were able to drive down the field and finished their next drive with another 18-yard touchdown pitch and catch from Williams to Jones. Another two-point conversion failed and the score was 12-0 as the first half drew to a close.
The Tigers opened the third quarter by going three-and-out and punting the ball to the Cowboys, who took over at the Tigers' 45-yard line. The Cowboys drove down the field and it looked as if they would add to their lead. However, a fumble went into the end-zone and the Tigers took over at their own 20-yard line. The Cowboy defense stiffened and the Tigers went back to punt from their own end zone. In a bold move, the Tigers ran a fake punt and moved the ball to mid-field as the third quarter ended.
The Cowboys forced another turnover on downs at the Tigers' 25. Throughout the final period, both defensive units proved to be stingy and neither team was able to score. The Cowboys threatened once more when they recovered a muffed punt return, giving the Cowboys another short field. However, the Cowboys fumbled deep in the Tigers' end of the field. The score remained 12-0, in favor of the Cowboys.
Robert Hiers led the Cowboys in rushing with 87 yards on 20 carries. R.J. Williams only threw two passes, but both were 18-yard touchdowns to Jones. Defensively, the Cowboys tallied eight tackles-for-loss, with six sacks.
Williams was named the Offensive Player of the Game. Stavon McCreary was the Defensive Player of the Game. Hiers was the Special Teams Player of the Game. The Offensive Hog of the Game was Dontrell Davis. J.T. McKnight and Elijah McNair were named the Co-Defensive Hogs of the Game.
Next up for the Cowboys (5-1) will be a trip down to Auburndale, Fla. to face Coach Mike Coe's Alma Mater, the Bloodhounds of Auburndale High School. The Bloodhounds have a record of 2-2, and are coming off a 23-12 win over the Blue Devils of Winter Haven High School. The game is set to take place on Friday, Oct. 16, at Auburdale Senior High School, in Auburndale, Fla. The address of the school is 1 Bloodhound Tr., in Auburndale. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.