Hamilton hangs on to oust Mustangs

Hunter Olive looks for a hole during the Mustangs' loss at Hamilton.

The Madison Academy Mustangs had unfinished business in quest to besting last year’s quarterfinal run in the Class 3A playoffs, but the Hamilton Aggies were playing for an undefeated season Friday, taking an early lead and cruising to victory, 35-14.

The Aggies took advantage of seven Madison Academy turnovers, including five Joe Dobson interceptions, to advance to the semifinals.

“Everybody was gunning for us this year after last year’s run,” said Madison Academy head coach Eric Cohu. “We played a very difficult schedule, and perhaps the best team in the state tonight.”

Just midway through the first quarter, the Aggies (13-0) had intercepted Madison Academy quarterback Joe Dobson two times and held a 14-0 lead.

After punting on the opening possession, the Mustangs (10-3) could not slow Hamilton quarterback Steven Stewart, who scampered in for a 26-yard touchdown.

Mustang star receiver Kam Jackson, a North Carolina commit, was injured on the ensuing kickoff, and it was all down from there for the Mustangs.

“It’s a bad knee injury. It’s not good,” Cohu said. “That hurt, losing a Division-I corner and great receiver for us.”

Hamilton’s Ryan King grabbed a one-handed interception three plays later, and then Mitch Stults took the ball in from 20 yards out to put the Aggies up 14-0.

Dobson was intercepted for the second time of the game, this time by Daniel Shaw, on the Mustangs’ next possession, but Madison Academy’s defense stood tall and forced the first Aggie punt of the game.

However, Dobson was once again intercepted by the Aggie defense, this time by Stewart, but once again the Mustang defense forced a Hamilton punt.

Like last week, when the Mustangs went for it on fourth down six times, Madison Academy gambled on a fourth-down run and it paid off, but the Aggie defense forced the Mustangs to punt four plays later.

Shaw showed what he could do on the offensive side of the ball on the ensuing possession as he sprinted 46 yards to increase the Aggies’ lead to 21-0.

“You cannot be down 21 to nothing to one of the best teams in the state,” Cohu said.

The Mustangs were successful on another fourth-down conversion on the next drive, but this time it led to points when Dobson connected with Ben Seabrook from 20 yards out to cut the score to 21-7.

The Mustangs blocked a 33-yard field goal by Hamilton’s Alex Vargas on the final play of the first half.

In the second half, Madison Academy’s defense held the Aggies three-and-out and then the Mustangs’ offense marched down inside the red zone, but Khyle Jackson fumbled and the Aggies recovered.

The Mustangs’ defense held strong on the ensuing possession, and then Dobson connected with Hunter Olive for the 3-yard touchdown strike to put Madison Academy on the board and cut the score to 21-14.

Stewart answered the Mustangs’ score with a 15-yard touchdown run to close out the quarter, and the damage was done.

The Mustangs turned the ball over again on the next possession when Chris Clouser fumbled, but a tired Madison Academy defense stood up again and forced the Aggies to punt.

Dobson was intercepted for the fourth time, this time by Shaw, and Shaw returned it 75 yards for the score to put the Aggies up 35-14.

On the next possession, Dobson was intercepted by Stewart for a second time to close out the game.