By Staff
Paul Wilson, Enquirer Correspondent
MADISON — A strong one-two punch at tailback and two goal line stands gave Madison Academy the edge it needed in a 21-8 win over the visiting Danville Hawks last Friday night in Madison.
Jeremy Rice (19 carries, 181 yards, 1 touchdown) and Kyle Mayes (12 carries, 109 yards, 1 touchdown) combined for nearly 300 yards rushing as the Mustangs moved to 3-1 in Class 3A, Region 7 play and 4-2 overall while Danville fell to 0-4 in the region and 0-6 overall.
Each team had to punt on its first possession. Danville began its next possession in great field position at the Mustang 46. Two Craig Orr runs (14 carries, 59 yards) gave the Hawks a first down at the Madison Academy 30. Unfortunately, a fumble on the next play gave the football to the Mustangs and they promptly drove 72 yards in seven plays with junior quarterback Carter Hamric scoring on a 1-yard run. The extra point was blocked but with 1:10 left in the opening period, Madison Academy led 6-0.
After the Mustangs turned the ball over on downs at the Hawk 45, the Danville offense used over six minutes of the clock, driving to a first-and-goal at the Mustang 8. However, the Mustang defense was able to keep the Hawks out of the end zone and Madison Academy went to halftime with a 6-0 lead.
Madison Academy received the football to open the second half and the Mustangs wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard as they drove 65 yards in five plays with Mayes getting the touchdown on a 42-yard run down the left sideline. Matt Currie ran in the 2-point conversion.
Once again the Hawk offense picked up a first down before stalling. After a 40-yard John Dalton punt, the Mustangs had the ball at their own 15. Two plays gained nothing and on third down the Danville defense sacked Hamric inside the 5. A 1-yard punt gave the Hawks a first-and-goal at the 6. Three runs by Dalton (16 carries, 63 yards) moved the football inside the 2 but on fourth down freshman running back Levi George was stopped at the 4 to end the Danville scoring threat.
The Mustang offense then drove 96 yards in eight plays for its final touchdown of the evening with Rice scoring on a 22-yard run.
On its next possession, the Danville offense put together a scoring drive of its own as the Hawks went 79 yards in 10 plays. The touchdown came on a 9-yard pass from Dalton to Tucker Sargent. The two-point try was converted as Dalton found a wide open Stacey Blackwood in the back of the end zone to cut the Mustangs’ lead to 21-8 with 4:37 left in the game. Hawk runners combined for 70 yards on nine carries to set up the touchdown.
The Hawks will travel back to Madison County tomorrow night to face the New Hope Indians. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.