Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
The Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys have adopted a secondary mascot that was perfectly displayed during their 28-16 victory over the Columbia County High School Tigers at home on Friday, Oct. 22. The Cowboys' secondary moniker of “Cur Dogs” was appropriate as they faced a bigger team with a lot of fancy electronics, gadgets and TV screens on their sideline. As many know, a “cur dog” is a mutt. Nothing fancy, but fiercely loyal and not one to be taken lightly; especially if one happens to enter into his space with ill intent; and, as the Tigers learned, a Cur Dog will bite.
Before the contest, the Cowboys of 2001 were recognized for being the first Cowboy football team to win a state championship. This team set the stage and served as an example for many Cowboy teams to follow.
The game began with the Tigers on offense, after the Cowboys opted to defer possession until the second half. The Tigers began their first drive at the Cowboys' 40-yard line, but the Cowboys forced a turnover-on-downs at their own 38-yard line. The Cowboys quickly moved the ball down the field and capped their first offensive possession off with a Tommie House, four-yard touchdown run. After a successful point-after-touchdown (PAT), the score was 7-0, with 2:33 remaining in the first quarter. The Tigers began their next drive at their own 21-yard line, but the stingy Cowboy defense forced a three-and-out. The Cowboys took over at their own 45-yard line as the opening quarter drew to a close.
During the ensuing drive, the Cowboys faced a third-and-long when Cowboy quarterback Jamie Hampton threw to a Cowboy receiver, who made an amazing, leaping catch, surrounded by Tiger defenders, giving the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the Tigers' six-yard line. Hampton then scampered into the end-zone for the second Cowboy touchdown of the evening. Keoni Nelson booted the ball between the uprights for his second PAT of the evening and the Cowboys had a 14-0 advantage, with 9:02 remaining until intermission. Both teams traded three-and-out possessions, then Cowboy punter Jahyren Lee made a big-time punt, pinning the Tigers at their own 13-yard line. Then, Cowboy Devin Boatman picked off a Tiger pass, giving the Cowboys the ball at mid-field. The Cowboys were unable to capitalize, due to a fumble that gave the ball back to the Tigers at the 44-yard line. The Tigers began to move the ball, but Cowboy defensive back Orient Livingston picked off another Tiger pass and the Cowboys' offense was back on the field at their own 20-yard line. That possession went three-and-out and the Cowboys punted to the Tigers again. The Tigers began near mid-field and the stubborn Cowboy defense forced another turnover-on-downs at the Tigers' 46-yard line. With time running out of the first half, the Cowboys drove down the field and finished the first half with another Hampton six-yard touchdown run. Another successful PAT gave the Cowboys a 21-0 edge as the first half ended.
The Cowboys began the second half on offense at their own 35-yard line, but the drive ended with a three-and-out. The Tigers took over at their own 25-yard line and drove down the field on a 75-yard scoring drive. The PAT was good and the score was 27-7, with 6:21 remaining in the third period. The next Cowboy drive stalled at their own 30-yard line. The Tigers took the ball at their own 45-yard line and proceeded to move the ball down the field again as the third quarter drew to a close with the Cowboys holding on to a 21-7 lead.
In the early moments of the final period, the Tigers punched the ball into the end-zone, cutting into the Cowboys' lead, which now stood at 21-14, with 11:01 still to play in the contest. On the ensuing kickoff, near disaster struck for the Cowboys when the Cowboy returner fielded the ball deep in Cowboys' territory and was tackled in the end-zone as he was desperately searching for a running lane. This resulted in a two-point safety for the Tigers, which put the score at 21-16, with 10:48 remaining in the game and momentum seeming to be shifting in the Tigers favor. The Tigers took over at the Cowboys' 45-yard line, but the Cowboys' defense stiffened and forced a turnover-on-downs at their own 39-yard line. The Cowboys' offense was forced into another three-and-out and the Tigers had the ball deep in their own end of the field. Then, the Cowboys' Lee put a devastating hit on the Tigers' quarterback, knocking the ball onto the ground. Cowboy Ty Jarvis alertly scooped the ball up and ran into the end-zone for a Cowboy scoop-and-score. The PAT was good and the Cowboys had a bit more breathing room with a 28-16 score and 4:55 remaining on the game clock. The Tigers were unable to mount a scoring threat and their final two possessions ended in turnovers-on-downs as the scrappy Cowboy defense sealed a tough-fought 28-16 victory.
“I'm not sure I can put into words and explain how tough and gritty our kids are,” said MCHS Head Coach Mike Coe after the game. “If you based it on size, looks, height and weight, we definitely wouldn’t be the favorite, but somehow, some way, our kids will fight and claw their way until they can’t anymore. They prepared the last two weeks and got better daily. I’m so proud of their effort and willingness to be coached and coached hard. It was such a joy to hear the crowd when the 2001 team was introduced pre game as well. Those guys set the standard for our program. We have won two in a row and I believe have put ourselves in the playoffs with the win tonight. Thank you to the band, cheerleaders and all the fans who came out to support us tonight. We have tough, hard nosed, gritty kids who believe in the process and play the right way. I’m a super proud coach tonight!”
Hampton led the Cowboys' rushing attack with 95 yards on 14 carries and two rushing touchdowns. Hampton threw for 46 yards, going four-for-seven throwing the ball. House toted the ball 25 times for 77 yards and one trip “to the house.”
Oshea Akins was named the Offensive Player of the Week for the Cowboys. Livingston and Jonathan Akins shared Defensive Players of the Week honors. The Special Teams Player of the Week was Lee. The Offensive “Hawg” of the Week was Keyon Aikens. The Defensive “Hawg” of the Week was Mahri Roberts. The “Cur Dog” of the Week was Jarvis.
Next up for the Cowboys (5-3) is a road trip on Friday, Oct. 29, to Starke, Fla. to face the Bradford High School Tornadoes. The Tornadoes have a record of 4-4 and are coming off a 42-18 win over Yulee High School. Bradford High School is located at 581 N. Temple Ave., in Starke, Fla. Kickoff for the contest is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.