Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
On Friday, Sept. 8, the Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys varsity football team made a trip to Brunswick, Ga. to participate in the Second Annual Georgia/Florida Border Wars football series. These games, played over the course of the weekend pits some of the best teams from across North Florida and South Georgia against each other to determine which state can claim bragging rights.
This year, the Cowboys found themselves in a rematch from last season. The Cowboys faced off against the Purple Hurricane from Fitzgerald High School. The Cowboys’ defensive unit played a “bend but don’t break” on numerous occasions to put the Cowboys in position to take a 30-16, statement-making win over the Purple Hurricane.
The game began with Fitzgerald taking their opening possession down the field into Cowboys territory before putting a halt to the drive. The ‘Canes attempted a 32-yard field goal that missed its mark. The Cowboys returned the favor by driving down the field, only to see their drive stalled inside the Fitzgerald 20-yard line. Keoni Nelson was able to boot a 25-yard field goal between the uprights to give the Cowboys a 3-0 lead late in the first quarter. Fitzgerald went three-and-out from their own 30-yard line and the opening period ended with the Cowboys in possession of the pigskin on their own 27-yard line, holding a 3-0 lead.
During the opening moments of the second quarter, the Cowboys drove down the field, capping the drive off with Jason McDaniel powering his way into the end zone from one yard out. Nelson’s point-after-touchdown (PAT) was good, giving the Cowboys a 10-0 lead with 8:40 still to play before intermission. The next Fitzgerald drive went three-and-out from the 20-yard line and the Cowboys took over at their own 40-yard line. That drive stalled at mid-field, but a pin-point punt off the toe of Nelson pinned the ‘Canes at their own one-yard-line. The first half ended with the Cowboys still holding a 10-0 advantage.
The Cowboys took the opening kickoff of the third quarter at the 38-yard line and moved the ball to the ‘Canes 27-yard line, where they turned the ball over on downs. The Cowboys’ defense forced another three-and-out and the Cowboys took over again at their own 39-yard line. There, McDaniel broke through the line and showed great speed to match his power and galloped 61 yards to the end zone to extend the Cowboys’ lead. A two-point conversion attempt failed and the score was 16-0, with 5:50 remaining in the third period. The ‘Canes responded by putting together an 84-yard scoring drive of their own. A successful two-point conversion put the score at 16-8, with 2:32 remaining in the third period. The Cowboys’ next drive went three-and-out from the 43-yard line. An errant snap on the punt put the ball back at the Cowboys’ two yard line, setting up a short scoring drive for the ‘Canes. A successful two-point conversion tied the score at 16-16 as the MCHS Vaquero Guard marching band struck up their traditional “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” marking the beginning of the final quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Cowboys responded with a touchdown pass and run to Varian Terry on a third-and-nine play. The ensuing PAT was good and the score was 23-16, with 9:57 remaining in the contest. The next ‘Canes drive was cut short when Tre Gillyard picked off a ‘Canes pass at the Cowboys’ 27-yard line. The Cowboys’ drive went three-and-out and the ‘Canes had the ball once again at mid-field. With time running out the Cowboys’ defense stiffened and forced a turn-over on downs, with 1:18 remaining in the game. It was not quite time for the “victory formation,” so the Cowboys ran another play from scrimmage. Cowboy quarterback Za’Vion Bryant saw an opening in the line and burst through on a 45-yard touchdown run. Another successful PAT put a 30-16 exclamation point on the Cowboys’ score for the afternoon. A pair of dead-ball penalties forced the Cowboys to kickoff from deep in their own end. With less than a minute with which to work, the ‘Canes’ final effort started at the Cowboys’ 39-yard line. Another Gillyard interception at the five-yard line brought the contest to an end, with the Cowboys celebrating on their ride home with a 30-16 victory.
Omarion Gentle was named the Defensive Player of the Game for the Cowboys with eight tackles, including one tackle for loss. The Co-Offensive Players of the Game were McDaniel, for his 179 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns, and Bryant, who went six-for-nine, with 121 yards through the air, with one touchdown and no interceptions. Bryant also toted the ball five time for 69 yards and one touchdown. The “Hawg” of the Week was Marshall Pike. The Special Teams Player of the Week was Nelson.
Next on the schedule for the Cowboys is a contest with an old rival, the Tigers of Columbia High School. The Tigers have a record of 0-2 and are coming off a 35-21 defeat at the paws of the Bulldogs of DeLand High School. The game is set to be played at Boot Hill Stadium, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.