Mustangs defeat Clements

Madison Academy receiver Jaelin Ferdinand hauls in a pass during the Mustangs’ 55-6 win over Clements that clinched the Class 3A, Region 8 championship. (Photo by Paulette Berryman)

By Mike Easterling

For the Record

HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy’s final two regular-season games will be played at home beginning Oct. 23.

On Oct. 16, the Mustangs ensured there would be at least one more game after that at Bill Washington Stadium.

Madison Academy defeated visiting Clements 55-8 on a chilly fall night to claim its fourth straight Class 3A, Region 8 championship. The win clinched not only home field advantage for the first round of the state playoffs but gave the Mustangs their 42nd straight region victory.

“We’re excited about winning the region,” Coach Eric Cohu said. “Hopefully, we can finish in the region with a win against Lexington.”

The Mustangs (7-1 overall, 6-0 in the region), ranked No. 1 in and the three-time 3A defending state champions, entertain Lexington this week.

Madison Academy came out strong against Clements (1-7, 1-5), blocking a punt on the game’s opening possession to set up a touchdown. Before it was over, the coach’s son Baylor Cohu and Jaelin Ferdinand scored two touchdowns apiece.

Baylor and Bronson Shad, who scored a touchdown, were among the “lot of people who had big game saves,” Cohu said. Jonathan Parrish, Robbie Orfield and Malik Miller also scored touchdowns.

“Malik came out of the gate hard and showed a lot of leadership,” Cohu said of the Auburn commit.

The Mustangs close out the season against Lexington and Briarwood Christian.