By Staff
Charles Prince, Hartselle Enquirer
Florette- Brewer's football team played with heart and desire, but they came up short in their bid to stop the school's losing streak. Madison County held on for a 21-14 win in the season opener for both teams, when Brewer quarterback Travis Boyd was tackled on the Tiger's 13-yard line as time expired.
New Patriot coach Billy Coleman was disappointed, but praised his team.
"I thought our kids played hard tonight," Coleman said. "This is disappointing. We had our chances. I've very proud of the effort our team gave tonight."
The Tigers took the opening kick and drove 80 yards in eight plays to take an early 7-0 lead.
Brewer responded with a 14-play 71-yard march to tie the score. The touchdown came on two-yard run by Joseph Burton with 3:47 left in the first period.
Madison County's Wes Sanderson passed 27 yards to Justin Walters on the opening drive of the second period to give the visitors a 14-7 lead.
Brewer would tie the score just before halftime on a 49-yard pass from Boyd to Markus Greenleaf.
In the second half of play, the Tigers took a 21-14 in the third period when Corey White scored from the eight to cap a six-play 58-yard drive.
Brewer would suffer an interception on the opening drive of the half and later would miss a field goal attempt.
The Patriots last chance came when they took over on downs with 1:02 to play. Starting at their own 23-yard line they drove to the Madison County 31 with 13 seconds to play.
A pass into the end zone fell incomplete on first down and then Boyd was flushed from the pocket on second down as the game clock ran out. Boyd eluded two tacklers before he was brought down at the 13.
"We're going to work on us this week, instead of focusing on Russellville," Coleman said. "We're going to get better."
The Patriots travel to Russellville to open region play this week.
Madison County 7 7 7 0 – 21
Brewer 7 7 0 0 – 14
Brewer leaders –
Rushing – Travis Boyd 6-58 yards
Receiving – Markus Greenleaf 8-107 yards-TD
Passing – Boyd 10-26-134 yards-Interception-TD