Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
The Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys celebrated Senior Night with a resounding 50-19 victory over the rival Suwannee County High School Bulldogs on Friday, Oct. 27, at Boot Hill Stadium. It was a special evening as the Cowboys honored a special group of seniors from the football team, the cheerleading squad and the Vaquero Guard marching band.
The Cowboys wasted little time when they took the ball from their own 28-yard line to a first-and-goal on the Bulldogs' eight-yard line. Then Derrick Staten ran the ball in for the first Cowboy score of the evening. After a successful PAT, the score was 7-0 with 10:46 remaining in the first quarter. The next couple of possessions found the two teams jockeying for field position when the Cowboys were forced to punt from their own end-zone. The Bulldogs then had a short field, starting their next drive from the Cowboys' 17-yard line. The Bulldogs took full advantage and moved the ball into the end-zone and tied the score at seven with 4:35 left in the first period. The following Cowboy drive was capped off with a nice 32-yard touchdown run by Cowboy quarterback Tre Adams. The PAT was good, despite a bad snap and the score was 14-7, in favor of the Cowboys with 2:11 still left to go in the opening quarter. That score remained as the second period opened with the Bulldogs moving the ball near mid-field before staling out. The Cowboys took over at their own 27-yard line and proceeded to effectively move the ball down the field. The drive ended with Cowboy running back Vinsonta Allen running 15 yards to pay-dirt. Another successful PAT brought the score to 21-7 with 10:25 remaining until intermission. On their next drive, the Bulldogs took a gamble and went for a first-down on fourth-and-two at the Cowboys' 15-yard line. The Cowboys' defense stopped the Bulldogs with a two-yard loss and took over at their own 17. The Cowboys went three-and-out and punted the ball away. However, on the next Bulldog possession, Zarkese Haynes picked off a Bulldog pass and returned the ball to mid-field. The Cowboys' drive stalled at the Bulldog five-yard line and the Cowboys attempted a 23-yard field goal that drifted to the left, just outside the goal posts. The half ended with the score 21-7, in favor of the Cowboys.
The Bulldogs showed they were not quite ready to roll over and play dead when they took the opening drive of the second half to the end zone on a 73-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was no good and the score was 21-13 with 10:21 remaining in the third quarter. The Cowboys responded by moving the ball down the field deep into Bulldog territory. However, a fumble in the end-zone gave Suwannee County the ball at the 20-yard line. The Bulldogs struck quickly with another long touchdown pass. With 6:01 remaining in the third quarter, the Bulldogs had tightened the score to within two points at 21-19. The Cowboys again moved the ball down the field and the Cowboys were once again deep in the Bulldogs' territory. Allen punched the ball over the goal line from two yards out for another Cowboy TD. Drew Herring's PAT was good and the Cowboys again extended their lead. With 2:57 remaining in the third period, the score was 28-19 in favor of the Cowboys. On the Bulldogs' next possession, Travis Jay intercepted another Bulldog pass and returned it into the end-zone for another Cowboy “pick-six.” The score was 35-19 with 1:45 left in the third period. The Cowboys picked off another Bulldog pass as the third quarter came to an end with the score sitting at 35-19. The next Cowboy drive ended with the Cowboys' offensive line opening a huge running lane in the middle of the line to allow Allen to shoot through for another Cowboy touchdown. The PAT was good bringing the score to 42-19 in the early moments of the final quarter. The Cowboys' defense held the Bulldogs at bay and the Cowboys took over again on offense. The next Cowboy drive was capped off with another Adams rushing TD from the two-yard line. The PAT was blocked and the score was 48-19, late in the fourth period. The Bulldogs' final possession began deep in their own end of the field. The Bulldog quarterback was in the Bulldog end-zone when he threw the ball to no one, causing an intentional grounding penalty in the end-zone, resulting in a two-point safety for the Cowboys. The Bulldogs had to kick to the Cowboys. The Cowboys were able to run out the clock and the game ended with the score 50-19 in favor of the Cowboys.
Allen had 181 yards on the ground on 25 attempts and scored three touchdowns. Adams rushed for 184 yards and two touchdowns. Adams also completed eight out of 10 passes for 136 yards. Adams' favorite target was Derrick Staten, who caught six passes for 110 yards. The Offensive Player of the Game for the Cowboys was Tre Adams. The Defensive Player of the Game was Darryln Brooks. The Special Teams Player of the Game was Marcus Ghent. The Offensive “Hawgs” of the game were the entire starting offensive line, along with Darius Johnson. The Defensive “Hawgs” of the game were Pat Hampton and Terray Jones.
The Cowboys will wrap up their regular season on the road with a game against the Raiders of Rickards High School in Tallahassee. The game, which was originally scheduled for Friday, Nov. 3, has been moved to Thursday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. The Raiders (5-3) are coming off a 24-15 defeat at the hands of Wakulla High. The game will take place at Gene Cox Stadium at 601 Paul Russell Rd., in Tallahassee.