Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
For the second season in a row, the Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys have completed a perfect, undefeated regular season. On Thursday, Nov. 2, the Cowboys travelled to Tallahassee to take on the Rickards High School Raiders in the final game of this year's regular season. When the clock hit all zeros, the Cowboys had racked up over 400 yards on the ground and had chalked up their 10th win of the season with a 34-12 victory.
The Raiders drew first blood when they scored a touchdown, making the score 6-0 with 4:17 remaining in the first quarter. The Cowboys’ responded by tying the score when Tre Adams hurdled over a Rickards defender during a three-yard, touchdown run. The PAT was blocked and the score was tied at six as the first quarter drew to a close. The Raiders were quick to hit back, scoring on a 61-yard touchdown run on their next possession. The PAT was no good and the score was 12-6 with 11:45 remaining in the second period. That's when the Cowboy rushing attack went into full speed, quickly moving the ball down the field. The Cowboys' drive was capped off with a Teryon Henderson 25-yard dash into the end-zone. Drew Herring's PAT was good, and the score was a tight 13-12 with 10:50 remaining until halftime. Moments later, the Cowboys were again in the Raiders' end-zone, thanks to a 40-yard touchdown run by Derrick Staten. Another successful PAT brought the score to 20-12 with 4:47 left in the first half. Staten was not finished for the half, rushing 17 yards for another touchdown with 2:28 left in the first half. The first half ended with the Cowboys ahead 27-12. The second half was more of a defensive game with the only score coming when Staten made a half-back option touchdown pass to Cowboy fullback Jarod Johnson from 16 yards out. Another Herring kick brought the score to 34-12 with 7:07 to go in the third quarter.
Henderson led the Cowboy running game with 178 yards on 21 attempts and one touchdown. Staten added 157 yards rushing on 17 attempts and two pass receptions for 33 yards. Staten scored two touchdowns on the ground. Staten also had one touchdown pass of 16 yards. Adams went two-for-four through the air for 33 yards. Adams added 27 yards on the ground with one touchdown. Staten and Henderson were the Offensive Players of the Week for the Cowboys. Tay Hodge was the Defensive Player of the Week. The Special Teams Player of the Week was Jarod Johnson. The Offensive “Hawg” was Quinn Lee. The Defensive “Hawgs” were Laertes Bell, Pat Hampton and Terray Jones.
The MCHS Cowboys have now completed the first part of their major goal for the season. Now begins the real work on accomplishing the larger goal the team has had all year. That is to become the first Cowboy team to go through the entire season with an unblemished record and win a state title. That goal is certainly attainable, but will likely not be without its challenges. But then, the Cowboys have faced every challenge presented to them so far this year; and they have risen to each of them. The Cowboys will have “home field advantage” for the length of time they are in the playoffs. The first playoff opponent for the Cowboys will be Union County High School at Boot Hill Stadium on Friday, Nov. 10, at 7:30 p.m. A large crowd is expected so it would be good to get to the stadium early.