Mustangs defeat North Sand Mountain

Madison Academy’s Bronson Shad (30) scored a rushing touchdown in the Mustang’s 44-7 home win over North Sand Mountain in the second round of the Class 3A state playoffs. (Contributed/Paulette Berryman)

By Mike Easterling

For the Record

HUNTSVILLE – Before the calm settled over victories following last week’s second round of the high school football playoffs, Piedmont turned its attention to Friday’s game at Madison Academy.

The three-time defending champion Mustangs, who finished the season ranked No. 1 in the Class 3A state poll, moved on with a resounding 44-7 win over North Sand Mountain despite many injuries. The Bulldogs, No. 3 at season’s end, punched a ticket into the third round with a 64-22 win over Oakman.

Piedmont (11-1) quickly began thinking about Madison Academy (11-1), which has eliminated the Bulldogs twice in the last three post-seasons.

“This is the game that (the Bulldogs have been) waiting on for a year,” Piedmont Coach Steve Smith told the Anniston Star. “It will be two really good football teams playing each other. We’ve got a lot of respect for their program. They’re the big dogs until somebody knocks them off.”

Two of Madison Academy’s biggest ‘dogs’ didn’t play in the win over North Sand Mountain. Big junior prospect lineman Austin Troxell is lost for the season to a torn ACL, and running back/linebacker and Auburn commitment Malik Miller (hip) is out for at least two weeks if not longer.

“We’ve really got our hands full with Piedmont,” Mustangs Coach Eric Cohu said.

In the win over North Sand Mountain, Greyson Edgemon completed 11 of 12 passes for 160 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Jaelin Ferdinand, Jordan Garrett, Bronson Shad, Kiki Matthews and Jonathan Parish scored touchdowns for the Mustangs.