Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys went north of the border to face the Georgia Class 2A defending state champions, the Purple Hurricane from Fitzgerald High School, in Fitzgerald, Ga. The game was played in Brunswick, Ga., as a part of the annual “Border Wars” football classic. A pair of errors proved to be costly for the Cowboys, as they were defeated, 20-12.
The contest began under sunny skies and Fitzgerald on offense after winning the coin toss and opting to take the first offensive possession. After the first couple of kicks went out of bounds, forcing the Cowboys to re-kick from further back, the 'Canes began their possession from the 40-yard line. The 'Canes moved down the field behind their massive offensive line and scored a touchdown on their opening possession. The point after touchdown (PAT) kick was no good and the score was 6-0, with 6:50 remaining in the first quarter. The Cowboys responded quickly when Jamie Hampton galloped 64 yards to the endzone for the Cowboys' first touchdown. The Cowboys' PAT attempt was blocked and the score was knotted at 6-6, with 5:50 still to play in the opening period. The 'Canes took over at their own 38-yard line and moved the ball into Madison County territory, when O'Shea Akins recovered a fumble and moved it to the Cowboys' 40-yard line. The Cowboys were unable to capitalize and went three-and-out. The 'Canes' offensive unit was back on the field at their own 26-yard line. The Cowboys' defense stiffened and held the 'Canes to a three-and-out. The Cowboys took over near mid-field as the first quarter drew to a close.
The second period was one of missed opportunities for the Cowboys as they began the period driving deeper into the 'Canes' end of the field. The drive stalled with a turnover on downs at the 'Canes' 30-yard line. On the following 'Canes drive, O'Shea Akins picked off a pass, giving the Cowboys the ball at the 44-yard line. The Cowboys' drive resulted in another turnover on downs at the 'Canes' 19-yard line. The first half ended with the score still tied at six points apiece.
The second half began with a productive Cowboy drive that began on their own 40-yard line and was capped off by a five-yard Hampton touchdown run. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt was no good and the score was 12-6, in favor of the Cowboys, with 7:34 remaining in the third quarter. The 'Canes responded with a 69-yard, time-consuming scoring drive that took the game clock down to 1:57 remaining in the third quarter and the score 13-12, now in favor of the 'Canes. The Cowboys took over again in good field position at their own 43-yard line. However, the drive was cut short when the 'Canes intercepted a Cowboy pass and returned it to the Cowboys' 26-yard line. The third quarter ended with the 'Canes once again moving the ball down the field.
In the opening moments of the final period, the 'Canes scored another touchdown. The ensuing PAT made the score 20-12. The Cowboys started their next drive at their own 35-yard line and moved the ball successfully inside the 'Canes' five-yard line. Then, on a third-and-two play from the three-yard-line, an unexpected bad snap flew past Hampton and all the Cowboy quarterback could do was fall on the ball, back at the 18-yard line. On a fourth-and-17 play, a 'Cane defender intercepted a pass in the endzone. From their own 20-yard line, the 'Canes were able to pick up a couple of first downs and run the clock out, securing their 20-12 win.
Hampton led the Cowboys in rushing, with 103 yards on eight attempts and two rushing touchdowns. Hampton also went eight-for-16, passing for 58 yards. Ja'Ohn Jackson had 60 yards on six rushing attempts. Jason McDaniel was named the Defensive Player of the Week for his 12 total tackles. Jackson was named the Offensive Player of the Week. The Special Teams Player of the Week was John Christian. The “Hog” of the Week was Drake Terry.
Next on the schedule for the Cowboys (2-1), is a road contest against a bitter rival, the Tigers of Columbia High School, in Lake City. The Tigers (2-2) are coming off a 21-16 win over the Bulldogs of DeLand High School. The game is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 16, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, in Lake City. Columbia High School is located at 469 SE Fighting Tiger Dr., in Lake City, Fla.