Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
The first big step toward Tallahassee and the chance at a fourth consecutive state title takes place this Friday, Nov. 13, at Boot Hill Stadium. The three-time defending state champion Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys will face the Bears of Dixie County High School, from Cross City, Fla. in the Class 1A Region Three quarter-final game.
The Bears pose a strong challenge for the Cowboys, especially on the offensive side of the ball. In each of the five games the Bears have won this season, they have scored over 40 points. The Bears have a very potent rushing attack, led by 5' 8"/150 lb senior running back Jaydon Malone. Malone averages 14.3 yards each time he carries the ball. He has rushed for 416 yards in six games this season and has six rushing touchdowns to his credit. The Mitchell brothers in the Cowboy linebacking corps will have their hands full containing Malone. They can't focus too much on Malone though, because although the Bears don't throw the ball much, the Bears quarterback is efficient with 10 touchdown passes and only one interception. Defensively, the Bears are an aggressive bunch, with 26 tackles-for-loss this season. If the game is close, the kicking game could be a factor. The Bears have a very good placekicker with a 90 percent accuracy rate on points-after-touchdown (PATs).
"They are very well coached and present a major challenge because they will try and take advantage of your eyes," said MCHS Head Coach Mike Coe. "We must play with tremendous eye discipline and communicate on defense. Offensively, we must play better than we have the last few weeks and we have to win the kicking game."
Florida high school prognosticator Joe Plinko has the Cowboys listed as a 16-point favorite in the contest.
The Class 1A Region Three quarter-final game takes place at Boot Hill Stadium on the MCHS campus on Friday, Nov. 13. This will be the only playoff game on Boot Hill this season. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.