Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
Before taking the field in the Class 1R State Championship game on Thursday, Dec. 7, Madison County High School (MCHS) Head Coach Price Harris told his team to, “just do what we do. That’s what Cowboys do!” The Cowboys were playing in their first state championship game in three years and facing an opponent, the Hornets of Hawthorne High School, that had not lost a game in two seasons and were the defending state champions. The last time the Hornets had lost a game, it was at the hands of the Cowboys, in 2021, when the Cowboys defeated the Hornets, 13-12, earning the Cowboys their sixth state championship. This “rematch” of sorts would live up to everything anyone anticipated, with a hard-fought game from both teams. In the end, it would be the Hornets who would emerge victorious, 22-13.
The contest began with the Hornets on offense after the Cowboys chose to defer possession until the second half. The potent Hornet offense began their first drive at their own 44-yard line. The Hornets moved the ball into Cowboys’ territory until Tre Gillyard picked off a pass and the Cowboys had possession at their own 22-yard line. The Cowboys moved closer down the field, but the drive ended with a turnover-on-downs at the Hornets’ 24-yard line. The Cowboys’ defense held the Hornets to a three-and-out possession, and on the ensuing punt attempt, Sean Williams broke through the line and blocked the punt, giving the ball back to the Cowboys at the Hornets’ 17-yard line. The Cowboys took advantage of this field position when Varian Terry scored the first touchdown of the contest with a five-yard touchdown run. The following two-point attempt failed and the score was 6-0, as the first quarter drew to a close.
The second quarter began with the Hornets moving the ball from their own 39-yard line to the end zone. The point-after-touchdown (PAT) attempt failed and the score was tied at 6-6, with 7:19 remaining in the second quarter. The Cowboys began their next offensive series at their own 22-yard line. However, a fumble recovered by the Hornets put the Hornets’ offense back on the field at the Cowboys’ 21-yard line. It looked as if the Hornets may take the lead until Williams intercepted a pass at the Cowboys’ one-yard line. Then, Terry broke through the line and made his way to the left edge of the field and galloped 99 yards to the Promised Land for another Cowboy touchdown. Keoni Nelson’s big size-14 boot sent the ball over the goal posts for the PAT and the Cowboys held a 13-6 lead, with 4:31 still to play in the first half. In a bold move, the Cowboys attempted an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff. The Hornets recovered the kick at mid-field. With easy field position and a productive offense, the Hornets were able to score again, tying the score at 13-13, with :51 remaining until intermission. On the kickoff, the Hornets were able to strip the ball out of Ladarius Crumity’s hands and took over at the Cowboys’ 22-yard line. This drive was cut short when Crumity made amends by intercepting a Hornet pass in the end zone, thwarting another Hornet threat. The half ended with both teams knotted at 13-13.
The third period began with the Cowboys on offense at their own 29-yard line. From there, Williams broke free and ran for the Hornets’ end zone. However, a holding penalty brought back the potential score. The Cowboys turned the ball over when a Hornet intercepted a pass at the Hornets’ 30-yard line. The Hornets moved the ball deep into the Cowboys’ end of the field before the Cowboys’ defense put a halt to the drive and the Hornets chose to attempt a 25-yard field goal. The kick failed and the Cowboys’ offense was back on the field. The Cowboys went three-and-out and punted the ball back to the Hornets. A good punt return put the ball at the Cowboys’ 39-yard line as the third quarter wrapped up, with the score still knotted at 13 points apiece.
The final quarter began with the Hornets going three-and-out and kicking the ball back to the Cowboys. The punt was well placed and downed at the Cowboys own six-yard line. The Cowboys were unable to move out from their own end and attempted a punt from inside their own end zone. An errant snap flew over Nelson’s head and out of the end zone, giving the Hornets a two-point safety and their first lead of the game at 15-13, with 9:30 remaining in the contest. The Hornets took over near mid-field at the 45-yard line and moved deep into the Cowboys’ end. Then the Cowboy defensive unit showed their toughness with a valiant goal-line stand that resulted in a turnover-on-downs at the Cowboys’ six yard line. As the Cowboys attempted to move out of the shadow of their own goal posts, the Hornets forced a fumble in the end zone, which was recovered by the Hornets for a defensive touchdown. The ensuing PAT was successful and the Hornets held a 22-13 lead, with just over two minutes remaining in the game. On their final offensive possession, the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs and the Hornets were able to run the clock out, bringing an end to the Cowboys’ season.
“I am so proud of this team,” said Coach Harris. “They fought with everything they had in them. Sometimes in life we come up short. It is hard, but it does not take away from what this team accomplished this year. This group of seniors left a lasting legacy, and I could not be more appreciative or proud of them. We came up a little short this year, but we will go back to work and start to prepare for next year and continue to try to make our community proud. I appreciate all the support from our administration, school board, Superintendent Joseph and our wonderful community. Thank you all very much. GO COWBOYS!!”
The Cowboys finished the 2023 season as the Class 1R State Runners-up, with a 10-2 record. Although it was a disappointing loss for the Cowboys, the future is very bright for Coach Harris and his guys. With a group of talented athletes from the junior varsity squad that went undefeated this season, and several key players returning, the Cowboys will likely bounce back. When a Cowboy is thrown from his horse, the phrase “Cowboy up,” is heard. He rises up and gets back on that horse. “That’s what Cowboys do!”