Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Rick Patrick, November 4, 2016
Here come the Cowboys!
Rick Patrick - Greene Publishing, Inc.
Before the game on Friday, Nov. 4 at Boot Hill Stadium between the Cowboys of Madison County High School (MCHS) and the Wildcats of Baker County High School, “Frasier the Rufferee” from WCTV, picked the Cowboys to win. This was the “Game of the Week” for WCTV, Channel six. For the Cowboys it was easily the game of the year. At stake was a perfect regular season and “Senior Night” for 20 seniors on the Cowboys' team. This game would prove to be just as challenging and exciting as one would expect from two of the top undefeated teams in the state. When the dust had settled, the Cowboys would find themselves victorious with a score of 26-21, but not before a contest that would test the determination and will of both teams.
The excitement began with the opening kickoff when Baker County ran the ball all the way to the Cowboys' five yard line. One play later, the Wildcats had scored. The score was already 7-0 in favor of the Wildcats and barely 20 seconds had clicked off the game clock. On the ensuing kickoff, the Cowboys showed that they, too could run kickoffs back when the Cowboys' return man ran the ball all the way to the Wildcat 39 yard line. From there the Cowboys drove to the Wildcat three yard line, when Quarterback, Tre Adams ran the ball in for the Cowboys' first touchdown of the evening. The score was tied with 8:33 remaining in the first quarter. After the Cowboy defensive unit held the Wildcats to a three and out, the offense took over again. The Cowboys again drove down the field and then Teryon Henderson made an amazing catch as he fell back in the end zone. This connection from Adams to Henderson would be one of the “Plays of the Week” for WCTV. After a successful point after touchdown (PAT) the score was 14-7, in favor of the Cowboys, with 3:17 left in the first quarter. The Wildcats quickly struck back, scoring another quick touchdown. After the successful PAT, the score was again tied, now at 14 with 1:44 remaining in the first period. The Cowboys then started an 80 yard drive that included a bold fourth down conversion in their own territory and ended with a nifty 44 yard half-back sweep pass from Travis Jay to Josiah Mitchell that resulted in a touchdown. However, the PAT failed, bringing the score to 20-14 with 11:50 left in the second quarter. The Cowboys recovered a Wildcat fumble on the Baker County 36 yard line. This lead to a Cowboys field goal attempt that was short. The Wildcats drove down the field again, but the Cowboys defense again kept the Wildcats at bay, intercepting a Wildcats pass in the end zone. The score at half time remained 20-14 in the Cowboys' favor.
The Cowboys received the second half kickoff and drove down the field to the Baker County 25, when the drive stalled and Baker County took over on downs. Baker county drove down the field, but once again the Cowboys' defensive unit bent, but refused to break and the Wildcats were forced to attempt a field goal into a very brisk cross wind. The kick drifted wide left and the Cowboys again took over. The Cowboys were forced to punt and Baker County took over at mid field. The Cowboys defense again stiffened and stopped the Wildcats with a fumble recovery at the 10 yard line. The quarter ended with the score still 20-14 in favor of the Cowboys. Then Adams connected with Kris Allen on a touchdown pass that featured some great running by Allen before the ball popped loose, but was recovered by a Cowboys player in the end zone. This brought the score to 26-14 in the Cowboys' favor, with 11:36 left in the final period. Baker County wasted no time striking back and scored another touchdown on an 80 yard run by the Wildcats' talented running back, Seth Paige. After the PAT, the score was 26-21 with 11:05 remaining on the clock and the Cowboys still in the lead. After the ball changed hands a couple more times the Cowboys had the ball at their own 24 yard line with 5:13 left in the game and time running down. The Cowboys were able to make a couple of crucial first downs in order to keep the ball, eventually running the clock out and sealing the victory with a score of 26-21.
Tre Adams had an impressive evening passing the ball with 10 completions on 19 attempts for 261 yards and two touchdowns. Adams also added one rushing touchdown. Teryon Henderson led the Cowboys' rushing attack with 82 yards rushing, followed by Derrick Staten with 79 yards on the ground. The Players of the Week were all the players on offense, defense, and special teams.
The Cowboys will next begin their playoff run with a game against the Indians of Baldwin High School on Friday, Nov. 11 at Boot Hill Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. The Cowboys remain undefeated, while the Indians bring a 7-3 record to the contest.