Madison Academy Wins Region With Several QBs
Moving up to Class 5A this season, the squad is facing schools which are much larger and have more talent pool to choose from. The difference in that fact hasn’t slowed the rumble of the hoofs as the Mustangs are Region 8 champions with a 7-0 record in region play and 8-1 overall heading into the final week of the regular season. The Mustangs are already primed to meet Alexandria out of Region 6 in round one of the Alabama High School Athletic Association playoffs scheduled for Nov. 9 at Madison Academy.
Recent developments have caused alarm within the Mustangs’ program, but, so far, all is working out well.
Starting quarterback Luke Nail suffered a high ankle sprain and is out until the first round of the playoffs. He suffered the injury against Madison County three weeks ago after putting up some all-state season type statistics. He hit 74 of 129 passes for 1,473 yards, 19 touchdowns, and five interceptions and also rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries.
“He’s very valuable to our team as he can throw the ball deep when needed and at this point in the season I’d say he and wide receiver Kyle Minor are our offensive MVPs,” said Grant Reynolds head coach of Madison Academy.
In a recent game against Scottsboro, in which the Mustangs won 34-26, backup quarterback sophomore Avery Seaton threw for two touchdowns and 177 yards before he, too, was injured as he suffered a bruised back to temporarily sideline the 5-10, 195-pounder.
Seaton was replaced with Minor (5-11, 170) who may have had the game of the year in Region 8. The senior wide receiver caught a 78-yard scoring strike from Seaton early in the game. After being inserted into the quarterback position upon Seaton’s injury, he scored two rushing touchdowns on runs of 54 and 49 yards. Both came in the fourth quarter to propel the Mustangs to the hard-fought, come-from-behind victory. Minor ended up with over 100 yards on just seven carries. To add to his list of accomplishments, he also had an interception from his defensive back position.
Seaton’s injury was not serious and he’s back in action while Nail (6-4, 178, Jr.) should be back just in time to face the Cubs in round-one playoff action, where the Mustangs lost to Hokes Bluff 12-10 a year ago.
“This has certainly been a new experience for most of us,” added Reynolds, who is in his third season as head coach.
The Mustangs only loss in 2018 came on the season opener against McCallie, Tenn. when the Mustangs were man handled 42-14. On the season, Madison Academy is scoring 42 points per game while allowing opponents just 19 per outing.
On the individual end of action for the Mustangs, three players are being heavily recruited for college. Those include Evan Brooks (WR/DB, 6-1, 175), Daniel Brent (RB/LB, 6-2, 180) and Tex Bailey (OL/DL, 6-5, 290).
