Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
The Madison County High School (MCHS) Cowboys suffered their second defeat of the season when they traveled to Tallahassee to face the Trojans of Lincoln High School. Despite some fourth-quarter heroics, the Cowboys still came out on the short end of a 23-12 final score.
The contest began with the Cowboys starting their first drive at their own 20-yard line. That drive stalled and the Cowboys were forced to punt, giving the ball to the Trojans on the Madison County 45-yard line. The Trojans moved closer to the goal line before the Cowboys’ defensive unit stiffened and forced the Trojans to kick a 29-yard field goal. The score was 3-0, in favor of the Trojans, with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter. The Cowboys took over again at their own 20-yard line. That drive was cut short when the Trojans recovered a fumble at the Cowboys’ eight-yard line. The Cowboys’ defense held the Trojans once more, forcing another field goal attempt. The kick was good and the Trojans now enjoyed a 6-0 lead with 5 minutes remaining in the first quarter. On the next offensive drive, the Cowboys went three-and-out. The Cowboys punted to the Trojans as time expired in the first quarter.
The Trojans’ next drive stalled at the Cowboys’ 48-yard line. The Cowboys’ next offensive drive ended with a controversial called fumble that was returned for a touchdown. The ensuing point-after-touchdown (PAT) kick was good and the Trojans held a 20-0 lead at intermission.
The Trojans took possession of the pigskin at their own 32-yard line to begin the second half of play. The Trojans again moved to within field-goal range and added three more points to their lead. The score was 23-0, with 5:31 still to play in the third quarter. The Cowboys began to turn the tide on their next possession, which was a 78-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 12-yard touchdown run by LJ Crumity. The ensuing PAT attempt was no good and the score was 23-6, with 1:15 still to play in the third quarter.
The early half of the fourth period of play began with the ball moving back and forth, with neither team mounting a scoring drive. That changed late in the contest when the Cowboys put together a late scoring drive that ended when Na’Quez Christian punch the ball over the goal line from one yard out. The two-point conversion attempt fell short and the score was 23-12, with 4:42 still to play in the contest. Following that, the Cowboys recovered an onside kick to take over at the Trojans’ 39-yard line. The Cowboys moved closer to the goal line before turning the ball over on downs at the Trojans’ 13-yard line. The Trojans ran the game clock from there, handing the Cowboys their second loss of the season.
Chad Mitchell went eight-for-13 passing for 92 yards. Christian gained 108 yards on the ground on 15 carries and one touchdown run. De’Andre Arnold was the leading tackler for the Cowboys’ defensive unit, with 12 total tackles, including one tackle-for-loss.
Christian was named the Offensive Player of the Game for the Cowboys. The Defensive Player of the Game honors went to De’Andre Arnold. The Special Teams Player of the Game was Tyrik Tillman. The “Hawg” of the Game was Johnny Norwood.
The Cowboys will attempt to get their first win of the season on Friday, Sept. 5, when they host the Bulldogs of Suwannee High School. The Bulldogs are coming off a 37-29 defeat at the hands of the Hornets of Lafayette High School. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m., at Boot Hill Stadium.