Mustangs defeat Weaver in playoff

Offensive lineman Austin Hipps (55) helps running back Jordan Garrett celebrate a touchdown during a 56-21 win over Weaver in the first round of the state high school playoffs Thursday. (Contributed/Paulette Berryman)

By Mike Easterling

For the Record

HUNTSVILLE – Madison Academy’s championship pedigree showed up in the second half of a first-round high school football playoff win Thursday night at Bill Washington Stadium.

The Mustangs overcame key injuries to break a halftime tie with Weaver and won going away, 56-21.

The victory, however, might prove costly as Madison Academy seeks its fourth straight Class 3A championship.

“We took a big step backward as far as health is concerned,” said coach Eric Cohu, whose top-ranked Mustangs (10-1) host North Sand Mountain (7-4) in the second round.

Madison Academy, which led 14-7 after one quarter and scored just before the second ended to tie the game at 21-all, lost senior running back/linebacker and Auburn commit Malik Miller and big junior lineman prospect Austin Troxell to injuries early in the game.

Their status for the second round is unclear.

The Bearcats (5-6) used a 77-yard interception return to score the game’s first touchdown and got another after a botched punt gave Weaver possession at the Mustangs’ 3-yard line.

“Our defense played outstanding,” Cohu said.

Madison Academy led 35-21 entering the fourth and poured it on behind Jordan Garrett, Jaelin Ferdinand, Cole Tomlison and Grayson Edgemon.

“We really rose up,” Cohu said. “Those guys really had big second halves to carry us.”

Garrett rushed for three touchdowns and Tomlison had a receiving touchdown, five tackles and an interception.

The Mustangs haven’t played North Sand Mountain, which advanced with a 27-13 over Susan Moore, since 1985.