Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
It has been said that football games in November are won in July. The Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys' superior conditioning was on clear display on Friday, Nov. 19, when the Cowboys managed to dismantle the Tiger Sharks of Port St. Joe High School, 45-6, in Port St. Joe, Fla. With the win, the Cowboys now move on to the Region Two Championship game.
The game against the Tiger Sharks began with the Sharks on offense at their own 26-yard line. The Cowboy defensive unit showed they were not in a generous mood and held the Sharks to a three-and-out. Then the Cowboys took over at mid-field, but were held to a three-and-out. Field position proved to be a vital factor in the early moments of the contest as the Cowboys pinned the Sharks at their own 10-yard line. From there, the Cowboys forced another three-and-out and a short punt by the Sharks' punter gave the Cowboys prime field position at the Sharks' 21-yard line. Normally, this would be four-down territory for the Cowboys, but with the improving talent of Cowboy Kicker Keoni Nelson, the Cowboys have the luxury of having more options in this area of the field. Nelson proved his worth when he booted a 30-yard field goal to give the Cowboys a 3-0 lead, with 2:19 remaining in the opening quarter. The Sharks began their next offensive drive at the 20-yard line and were forced into another three-and-out situation. The Cowboys took over at the 50-yard line as the first quarter drew to a close, with the Cowboys holding a 3-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter, Cowboy quarterback Jamie Hampton hit Jonathan Akins on a 45-yard touchdown pass play. The point-after-touchdown (PAT) was good and the score was 10-0, with 10:06 remaining in the second quarter. The Sharks took the ball at their own 40-yard line. Then Cowboy linebacker Ke'Shaun Mitchell intercepted a pass and ran the ball back for a pick-six interception touchdown. Nelson's PAT went through the uprights and the score was now 17-0, with 8:49 still to play until intermission. The Sharks showed they still had some life on their next drive, when they went 85 yards to score their only touchdown of the evening. The PAT was no good and the score was 17-6, with 5:48 remaining in the first half. The remaining moments of the first half saw both teams going back and forth with neither team allowing a first down. The half ended with the score 17-6, in favor of the Cowboys.
The Cowboys took the opening kickoff of the second half at their own 25-yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Hampton found a gaping hole in the line and shot through to gallop 75 yards for another Cowboy touchdown. Nelson sent another PAT through and the score was 24-6, with 11:42 remaining in the third quarter. The next Shark drive stalled at their own 20-yard line and the Cowboys had the ball at mid-field. The Cowboys moved down the field and capped the drive off with a short touchdown run by Hampton. Another Nelson PAT put the score at 31-6, with 3:48 still to play in the third period. The Sharks began their next drive at their own 25-yard line and soon met a familiar fate with another three-and-out. The Cowboys' offense was back in business at their own 35-yard line as the third period ended. The MCHS band struck up their trademark “Good, Bad and the Ugly/Ghost Riders in the Sky” medley, with the score 31-6.
Early in the fourth quarter, Tommie House ran the ball over the goal-line from 10 yards out for another Cowboy touchdown. The ensuing PAT put the score at 38-6 with the Cowboys firmly in command and the Sharks seemingly ready to throw in the towel. The next Shark drive was cut short when Orient Livingston picked off a pass at the Sharks' 30-yard line. With several back-up players in the game, the Cowboys went three-and-out. A well-placed punt by Jahyren Lee put the Sharks at their own eight-yard line. The Cowboys' defense did not yield any yardage and in a move that seemed to be borne out of desperation, the Sharks went for a first-down rather than punt on fourth down. This move failed and the resulting turn-over on downs put the Cowboys' offense back on the field at the Sharks' eight-yard line. Cowboy running back Ja'Ohn Jackson got in on the action with an eight-yard touchdown run. Another successful PAT put the score at 45-6, with 4:00 remaining in the game and a continuously running game clock. This caused the final minutes to pass by quickly and the Cowboys finished the evening with a 45-6 victory.
“Really, really proud of our kids,” said Coach Mike Coe after the game. “They worked their tails off this week preparing for Port St Joe. We finish practice everyday with fourth quarter drill, 12 minutes worth of either you have guts or you don’t! I think our kids have plenty of guts! It started with a big TD run to open up the third quarter and it kept getting better! 45-6 and by far our most complete game yet! I’m very thankful for the young men I get to coach and the men that I get to coach with! A huge shoutout to all the MadCo fans that made the trip and our band and cheerleaders. Enjoy this one for a few hours and then start getting ready for the [number] one team in [Class] 1A, Blountstown. That will be our toughest challenge to date. All I know is I get to spend Thanksgiving with my fellas!”
Next up for the Cowboys (9-3) will be another road trip to the west to face the Tigers of Blountstown High School in the Class 1A Region Two Final. The game is set for Friday, Nov. 26, in Blountstown. The Tigers (9-1) are coming off a 42-0 win over Liberty County High School. Blountstown High School is located at 17586 Main Street North, in Blountstown. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.