Mustangs Own Region 7 Post-Season Football Awards
MADISON- The Madison Academy Mustangs had one of the most spectacular seasons in school history in 2021 and post-season honors reflect the outstanding football campaign of the just completed historical season.
Among the Class 4-A, Region 7 All-Region selections include three player MVP awards and the Coach of the Year honor for head coach Bob Godsey. Named the Most Valuable Player was Will Stokes. The Defensive Player of the Year was Tim Spurlock while Special Team Player of the Year was Ian Vachon. The team also had 10 All-Region selections and seven Honorable Mention picks.
Madison Academy finished the season at 12-2 overall and 7-0 in Region 7. The horses fell in the season opener to Briarwood and then posted 12 consecutive victories before losing to Oneonta 28-24 in the Class 4-A semi-final game of the playoffs. The team statistics were phenomenal as the Mustangs put up 549 points on the scoreboard while allowing just 195 in their 14 games.
For Stokes, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound scamper was easily the most productive player in the region, as well as, the entire state. He carried the ball 257 times for 2,691 yards, which came to 10.47 per attempt. He averaged 192 yards per game and scored 46 touchdowns. As a receiver, he had 21 receptions for 233 yards and two scores. As a kick returner, Stokes had nine kickoff returns for 139 yards and 16 punt returns for a total of 174 yards and one touchdown.
Godsey said earlier in the season of Stokes, “He is a very good player and even better person. He is quick, strong and has great vision. He has put in a lot of work to have the season he had.”
Spurlock, Defensive Player of the Year and recent signee with the Michigan Wolverines, was second on the team in total tackles (144) and solo tackles (81), but was tops on tackles for a loss (10). Nicknamed “Deuce,” he is set to play linebacker for the Wolverines and chose the school over others such as Clemson, Auburn, Florida and Grambling.
Specialist honor went to Vachon who made seven of 12 field goal attempts on the season and hit on 62 of 68 extra points giving him 83 points on the year. He also handled the punting duties for the Mustangs averaging 33 yards per kick.
For Godsey, this was his third season as head coach and led the squad to a No. 1 state ranking up until the post-season playoffs.
The remainder of the Mustangs selected as All Region included Kaden Young, Kanen Hamlett, Jailen Holmes, Chuck Moore, Holden Blake, K.J. Rogers, Mario Brewer, William Burgreen, Daniel Scott and John English. Honorable Mentions selected included K.D. Cherry, Carson Creehan, J.P. White, Jaylen Arnold, Cooper Lovett, Justin Parker and Daylan Johnson.
