Weather, Ensworth derail Mustangs

Madison Academy’s Keke Matthews (5) looks for running room during the Mustangs’ 20-16, weather-shortened at Ensworth in Nashville to open the season. The game was halted with 10:27 left to play in the fourth quarter because of lightning and play never resumed. Contributed/Paulette Berryman

By MIKE EASTERLING / For the Record

NASHVILLE – Time, with an assist from Mother Nature, ran out on Madison Academy as it sought victory in the debut of new coach Grant Reynolds on what turned into a stormy Friday night in Tennessee.

The Mustangs, trailing Ensworth 20-16 with over 10 minutes left in the game and driving, were denied a shot at the comeback win when lightning interrupted play.

After a two-hour delay and no letup of dangerous weather, the game was called and Madison Academy headed back south with a loss to start the season.

In a matchup featuring two private school powerhouses, the Mustangs fell behind the Tigers 13-0 and 20-6.

Madison Academy rallied with a touchdown on its first possession of the second half and added a field goal by Sean Dorney later in the third quarter to trim its deficit to 20-16.

But, with 10:27 left to play in the game, lightning arrived and play was halted.

The Mustangs had the ball, and momentum, when play was stopped. At that point, Madison Academy had amassed over 250 passing yards.

The Mustangs and the Tigers brought glittering credentials into the game. Both programs have nearly identical winning percentages of around .800 in the past 12 seasons. Ensworth won state championships from 2010-2013 and was runner-up in 2014. Madison Academy finished as Class 3A runner-up in 2011 and won state titles from 2012-14.

The Mustangs play their first Class 4A, Region 7 game Friday when they host Sardis.