Madison Academy clinches playoff berth with win over Madison County
MADISON – The Mustangs wrapped up their first Class 5A playoff spot Friday in a solid 64-22 win over Madison County.
This is the first year at the 5A classification for Madison Academy, a perennial 3A and 4A power. The No. 5-ranked Mustangs are unbeaten in Region 8 at 5-0; and 6-1 overall. The Tigers fall to 2-6, 1-4.
Quarterback Luke Nail had a pair of touchdown passes and scored one while backup quarterback Avery Seaton threw for two touchdowns and scored two more.
The Mustangs’ defense also played well in forcing five Tiger turnovers – including recovering three fumbles in the win.
Madison Academy jumped out to a 22-0 lead after the first quarter. Nail scored on a 14-yard run and Eli Terrell’s point-after gave the Mustangs a 7-0 lead with 7:28 left.
Seaton scored on Madison Academy’s next possession with 6:15 remaining. Minor, the holder for Terrell, took the snap and passed to Terrell for the two-point conversion at a 15-0 lead.
Nail connected with Kyle Minor on a TD pass and Terrell kicked the point-after for a 22-0 Mustangs’ lead with 1:54 to go in the quarter.
The Mustangs continued their dominance early in the second quarter when Nail hit Carson Kennamer for a 9-yard TD pass with 11:18 to go. The point-after gave Madison Academy a 29-0 lead.
Seaton scored his second touchdown of the game on a highlight reel run midway through the quarter for a 36-0 lead.
The Tigers got on the board with 23 seconds left in the half on an Austin Mills touchdown pass to cut the Mustangs’ lead to 36-7.
But, Madison Academy got the TD back 10 seconds later when Nail hit Everett Brooks on a 55-yard catch-and-run touchdown pass to take a 43-7 lead into the locker room.
The Mustangs ran the score to 50-7 to as they opened the second half with a 63-yard scoring march, capped by Hunter Schrader’s 20-yard run.
Quamain Gamble scored on a 16-yard run for Madison County to make the score 50-14 with 7:05 left in the quarter.
Daniel Brent’s 44-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter widened the Mustangs’ lead to 57-14 and Seaton hit Slade Rucker on a 57-yard touchdown pass to wrap up the Mustangs’ scoring.
The Mustangs visit Scottsboro on Friday and Madison County hosts Arab.
