Rick Patrick, Greene Publishing, Inc.
It has been said that adversity builds character. Another and probably more accurate quote is that adversity actually reveals character. The Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys revealed their true character on Friday, Nov. 18 when they came from behind to defeat the Indians of Ft. White by a final score of 21-17. This victory sets up a match with the Blue Devils of Pahokee for a trip to the state championship game in Orlando.
The game started out as a defensive struggle with neither team scoring in the first quarter. Then with 10 minutes left in the second quarter, Ft. White scored the first touchdown of the evening. The following drive for the Cowboys stalled and they were forced to punt. Ft. White drove down the field again and scored another touchdown with two minutes left in the first half. The score was then 14-0 in favor of the Indians. This scored remained until halftime. The Cowboys took the opening kick of the second half, but the drive ended when Ft. White recovered a MCHS fumble on the Madison 34 yard line. The Indians managed to turn this fumble into three points as they kicked a field goal with about eight minutes left in the third period. This made the score 17-0 with Ft. White in the lead. Then Teryon Henderson ran the kickoff back for a Cowboy touchdown to put the Cowboys on the board. With eight minutes left in the third quarter, the score was 17-7, still in the Indians favor. The quarter ended with the score still 17-7. Then Cowboy running back Derrick Staten ran 15 yards to find pay dirt in the Indians end zone with 11 minutes left in the contest. The score was now 17-14. During the next Indian possession, the Indians were threatening to score again when the Cowboys intercepted an errant Indian pass at the Cowboy's 25 yard line. The Cowboys then drove down the field to the Indian six yard line. That's when Cowboys quarterback, Tre Adams ran the ball in on a quarterback keeper to score the Cowboys' third touchdown with three minutes left. The successful extra point made the score 21-17, in favor of the Cowboys. On their next possession, the Indians drove the ball to mid-field, but another Cowboy interception sealed the victory for the Cowboys.
The Cowboys will now move on to the state semi-final game against the Blue Devils of Pahokee High, located at 900 Larrimore Rd, in Pahokee. The game is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 25. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.