Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
The look of elation on Madison County High School (MCHS) senior Jonathan Akins' face at the end of the game on Friday, Nov. 4, said it all. The senior defensive back leaped for joy with a grin that could hardly be contained. The Cowboys had shaken off the troubles that had haunted the team over the past month and a half, and put together a complete team effort to win their final game of the regular season, 28-21, over the visiting Raiders of Rickards High School. The victory was made even sweeter as it was Senior Night at Boot Hill Stadium.
The game began with the Cowboys on offense. The first moments of the contest began to have an ominous forbearing with which the Cowboys had become all too familiar. The Cowboys' first drive was cut short with an interception that put the Raiders' offense on the field at the Cowboys' 45-yard line. The Cowboys' defense denied the Raiders any chance to capitalize, when Tre'vion Gillyard intercepted a pass at the Cowboys' 12-yard line. The Cowboys then moved the ball down the field, but another interception stopped the drive near the Raiders' 20-yard line. From there, the Raiders hit a long touchdown pass and the score was 7-0, in favor of the Raiders, with 6:20 remaining in the opening quarter. The Cowboys took over again at mid-field and proceeded to move down into the Raiders' end of the field. The drive was capped off with a Jason McDainel touchdown run. The two-point conversion attempt failed and the score was 7-6, with 3:30 remaining in the first period. The Raiders took the ensuing kickoff at their own 40-yard line and the Cowboys' defense forced a three-and-out. The Cowboys were back to moving the ball from their own 39-yard line when the first quarter ended with the score 7-6.
In the early moments of the second period, the Cowboys turned the ball over on downs at the Raiders' 19-yard line. That drive stalled near the 40-yard line and the Cowboys began their next offensive possession at the 20-yard line. Then Ja’Ohn Jackson found open field along the sideline and galloped 75 yards to pay-dirt for another Cowboy touchdown. After a successful two-point conversion, the score was 14-7, in favor of the Cowboys, late in the second quarter. The Raiders took over at mid-field as time ran out in the first half, with the score 14-7.
The third quarter began with the Raiders moving the ball from their own 35-yard line. The drive was finished with a Raider touchdown and the score was tied at 14 points apiece, with 10:13 still to play in the third quarter. The Cowboys' next drive resulted in a turn-over on downs. The Raiders moved close enough to attempt a field goal, which was off the mark. The Cowboys turned the ball back over to the Raiders at the Cowboys' 20-yard line. The Raiders were able to capitalize and score another touchdown to retake the lead, 21-14, with 2:09 remaining in the third period. The Cowboys again began moving the ball from the 40-yard line as time expired in the third quarter, with the score 21-14, in favor of the Raiders.
The Cowboys drove deep into Raiders' territory and soon had a first-and-goal at the five-yard-line. From there, Ja'Kori Jackson punched the ball over the goal line for a Cowboys' touchdown. The two-point attempt failed and the score was 21-20, with the Raiders still holding onto a slim edge. The Raiders went three-and-out on their next possession. On their next possession, the Cowboys turned the ball over on a fumble which was recovered by the Raiders at mid-field. The Cowboys' defense stiffened again and forced another punt. The Cowboys were able to keep their next drive alive when Cowboy quarterback Jamie Hampton, back from a knee injury, connected with Aikens, for a much-needed first down. The Cowboys kept moving and had another first-and-goal. McDaniel turned that into a touchdown on fourth-and-goal. After a two-point conversion, the score was 28-21, with 2:46 remaining in the contest. The Raiders took over at the 45-yard line. The Cowboys' defense held their ground and took over possession after a failed fourth-down conversion attempt by the Raiders. The Cowboys were able to run out the clock from there and seal a much-needed 28-21 victory.
Hampton led the Cowboys in rushing, with 137 yards on 10 carries. Ja'Ohn Jackson had 80 yards on five carries and one touchdown. McDaniel carried the ball 10 times for 41 yards and two touchdowns.
“I was pleased with how the boys played the game from start to finish,” said Head Coach Price Harris. They played with great energy and emotion. They executed and played for their brother. Winning the game gives us a lot of momentum, heading into the playoffs, as well as giving us a home game the first round, which is a huge advantage.”
The Cowboys finished the regular season with a 3-6 overall record and will now enter the next phase of this years' football campaign, the playoffs. The Cowboys managed to claim the number four seed in the Class 1R, Region Three tournament. The Cowboys will face the number five seed Indians of Ft. White High School, on Friday, Nov. 11, at Boot Hill Stadium, in the Region Three quarter-final. According to the Florida High School Athletic Association, admission is $8 and kickoff is set for 7 p.m.