Trach delivers For Mustangs
BY SCOTT WRIGHT
The 3A state playoffs began Friday with Madison Academy hosting Weaver at Bill Washington Stadium on the campus of the Mustangs.
The opening drive of the Weaver Bearcats was snuffed out by a Kerryon Johnson. However, the Mustangs could not capitalize and were forced to punt. An electric return by the Bearcats set them up with good field position inside the Mustang 30.
They would take advantage and push the ball into the end zone giving the Bearcats an early 7-0 lead. An incredible kick return by Nick Haas set the Mustangs up with great field position and the Mustangs would push it to the three yard line before the clock would run out in the first quarter.
After one quarter, the Bearcats lead by seven, 7-0. The second quarter began with a disaster as a fumble on first and goal cost the Mustangs a chance to tie the score. The teams would exchange punts during the second quarter with Weaver getting the ball back with just over six minutes remaining in the first half.
On third and ten from the Mustang forty, a Bearcat trick play would prove golden as they would score on the play to go ahead 14-0. The Mustangs would get their biggest gain on a busted play as senior quarterback Hunter Olive broke a long 40-plus yard run.
Two plays later the Mustang offense would score on a play action touchdown pass from Olive to Nick Haas, bringing the count to 14-7. The close of the half saw no change in the score as the Weaver Bearcats held onto the lead.
The second half started with a huge swing in momentum as Logan Hamlett broke a sixty-six yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage.
The Mustang defense would answer the bell again and get their first three and out of the game. A long Mustang drive brought them inside the twenty where the drive stalled out. A Chandler Trach field goal would give the Mustangs their first lead of the night at 17-14. The teams would exchange punts again in the third quarter. The third quarter would come to a close with the Bearcats driving, but trailing 17-14.
Two costly penalties to begin the fourth quarter gave Weaver a first down inside the 15-yard line. A fourth down conversion inside the five would give the Bearcats a first and goal. They would capitalize on third down, pulling back into the lead 20-17. The Mustang block team would come through and keep the score at 20-17 by blocking the extra point.
A huge fourth down conversion pass to Nick Haas would keep the drive alive. A fumbled snap on third down seemed to spell doom for Madison Academy, but junior Trach would blast a forty-one yard field goal to tie the game at 20.
As regulation time ended, the Bearcats played for overtime by running out the clock. In overtime, a 10-yard Hunter Olive touchdown run put the Mustangs ahead 27-20.
The Bearcats would score, but for the second time of the night, the Mustang defense blocked the extra point. This time, however, it would end the game. Trach’s clutch kicking and a great game from the MA offensive line would hold up for a 27-26 overtime win. The Mustangs now move on to face Elkmont next week.
