Madison County Red Raiders

Reprinted from the Athens Banner-Herald November 11, 2006 edition
Madison County 47, Salem 44 By Jon Page | jon.page@onlineathens.com | Story updated at 1:03 AM on Saturday, November 11, 2006 CONYERS - Amidst the frustration of three consecutive penalties, Jack Orr found the nerve to hit the game-winner. On the next play, Tyler Berryman found the patience to make a game-securing interception. And over the course of the game, Jarrod Owens threw for 314 yards and four touchdowns to lead Madison County to a 47-44 victory over Salem at Evans Memorial Stadium as the Red Raiders secured a playoff berth. Madison County will travel to meet East Paulding on Friday at a time to be determined. "Everybody's always ragging on (Jack Orr) for not making the big one," said Owens, who also ran for a touchdown. "Well he did tonight. We all did. Who would have known Madison County would have been going to the state playoffs back-to-back? It's awesome." Raiders coach Randell Owens gathered his team at midfield after the game and spoke of possible playoff scenarios. "I have no idea who we're playing," Owens said. "We could be as high as the second seed, we could be as low as the fourth." And then came an ice-cold bath. Seniors Tyler Ingram and Marcus Grant doused their coach with water from a Gatorade cooler, sparking more celebration from players, and a congregation of students and family members. The Raiders (8-2) were enjoying the first time a Madison County team has advanced to the state playoffs in back-to-back seasons since 1982-83. After Salem (7-3) tied the game at 44-44 with 1:31 to play on quarterback Terrance Davis' 2-point conversion run, Jarrod Owens and Cello Latimer led the Raiders into Salem territory. A 35-yard reception by Latimer gave Madison County the ball on the 7-yard line. On first down, Latimer dropped a pass from Owens. That's when things nearly got ugly for Madison County. "We hadn't been working with that personnel grouping," Randell Owens said. "I said, 'Let's just kick it and play defense.' The players were like, we can (score). I was like, 'Y'all don't get it.' " The Raiders had no timeouts, but Owens said his team didn't have the proper personnel in the game to spike the ball and stop the clock. Madison County took a delay of game penalty, and Owens sent Orr in to kick. The Raiders took another delay of game penalty to move the ball back and give Orr a better angle at the uprights. But on the next play the Raiders only had 10 players on the field, and by the time their 11th made it on to the field, another penalty flag hit the turf. Finally, Orr converted from 40 yards. During the confusion, Orr said he thought about a trip he took this summer. "We went to the beach and I decided to kick on the beach," Orr said. "I was just thinking about that the whole time. I just concentrated on what I had to do and kicked it through." Orr then kicked a touchback to give Salem one more chance with less than a minute to play from their own 20. Davis, who completed 6 of 9 passes for 168 yards and ran for 112 yards, rolled to his right on first down and fired a bullet pass right at Berryman. "We got another record and we're going to the playoffs," Berryman said. "My heart's beating about a million miles an hour." After Berryman's interception, Jarrod Owens took a knee on first and second downs to run out the clock. He pumped his fist, and high-fived a few of his teammates. Then he got a hug and some words of praise from his coach. "I love you, baby," Randell Owens said to his son. Game report • Turning Point: Jack Orr's 40-yard field goal with 54 seconds to play secured the victory for Madison County. • Key Stat: Both teams combined for 969 yards of total offense. • Impact: Madison County moves on to the state playoffs for the second straight season, and Salem's season is over. Reprinted from the Athens Banner-Herald November 11, 2006 edition