Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
The “second season” for the Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys began on Friday, Nov. 12, with a dominating, 35-0, shut-out victory over the Wewahitchka High School Gators at Boot Hill Stadium. This was probably the most complete performance the Cowboys have had this season, with all three aspects of the Cowboys' game; offense, defense and special teams, performing at a top level.
The game began with the Cowboys on offense. The Cowboys effectively moved the ball down the field from their own 28-yard line. Soon, the Cowboys had a first and goal and Jamie Hampton ran the ball across the goal line, from five yards out, on a quarterback keeper. Keoni Nelson's point-after-touchdown (PAT) kick was good and the Cowboys had a 7-0 lead, with 8:05 remaining in the opening quarter. The Cowboys' offensive unit was quickly back on the field after the Cowboy defense recovered a fumble on the Gators' 34-yard line. That short drive was capped off with a 17-yard Ja'Ohn Jackson touchdown run. Another successful PAT put the score at 14-0, with 7:47 remaining in the first quarter. On their next possession, the Gators were able to move the ball from their own 26-yard line into Cowboys' territory before turning the ball over on downs at the Cowboys' 14-yard line as the first quarter came to an end, with the score 14-0.
The second quarter began with the Cowboys going three-and-out and punting the ball to the Gators. The Gators took the ball at their own 37-yard line, but the stingy Cowboy defense held the Gators to a three-and-out. On the ensuing punt, Jonathan Akins took the ball at mid-field, broke through a couple of tackles and was off to the races on an electrifying 50-yard touchdown punt return. Nelson sent another PAT between the uprights and the score was 21-0, with 8:55 still to play before intermission. The Cowboys weren't through, though, as the defense forced another Gator punt. This time, the Cowboys were able to penetrate the line and block the punt, putting the offense back on the field at the Gators' 14-yard line. Then, Jackson ran 14 yards to pay-dirt for his second touchdown of the game. Another successful PAT gave the Cowboys a 28-0 advantage, with 4:41 remaining in the second period. The first half ended with the Gators going three-and-out, followed by a Cowboy drive that stalled at the Gators' 25-yard line and the Cowboys holding a 28-0 lead.
The Gators took the second half kick-off at the 25-yard line and moved the ball to near mid-field before another turnover-on-downs gave the ball to the Cowboys at the Gators' 45-yard line. The Cowboys moved the ball deeper into Gatorland, and Tommie House finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run at the 3:20 mark of the third period. Nelson kicked his fifth PAT over the goalposts to make the score 35-0 and set a continuously running game clock into motion.
The final period began with the Gators turning the ball over on downs at their own 25-yard line. Several back-up players were having their opportunity to play for the Cowboys as the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs at the Gators' 17-yard line. The Gators were unable to pose a serious scoring threat from there and the game ended with the Cowboys dealing the Gators a 35-0 shut-out.
Jackson led the Cowboys' rushing attack with 57 yards on six carries, with two touchdowns. Hampton had four rushing attempts for 21 yards and one touchdown to go with his two passes on seven pass attempts for 23 yards through the air. Defensively, Ke'Shaun Mitchell had 12 tackles, with three tackles for loss. It was also announced earlier in the week that Mitchell has been selected to play in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association North-South All-Star Game, to be held at The Villages on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m.
“I was proud of our week of preparation and how the kids played,” said Coach Mike Coe after the game. “We still have work to do and have to continue to get better. The playoffs come down to who can make the fewest mistakes and not turn the ball over. We have a rough road ahead with probably being on the road for the remainder of the playoffs, but these kids have great grit and resolve.”
The Cowboys' (8-3) quest for another title will continue on Friday, Nov. 19, when they take on the Port St. Joe Tiger Sharks, in Port St. Joe, in the Class 1A Region Two semi-final game. The Tiger Sharks (8-1) are coming off a bye week for the first round of the playoffs. Kick-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. Port St. Joe High School is located at 100 Shark Dr., in Port St. Joe, Fla.