Announcement
reprinted from The Madison County Journal online edition September 18, 2009
by Ben Munro
MCHS faces crucial matchup with Cedar Shoals
Madison County offensive lineman John Gunnells didn’t downplay his excitement for Friday’s matchup with Cedar Shoals.
In fact, the left tackle has kept an eye on this matchup for a few weeks now.
“I’ve been fired up for this game since the beginning of the year,” Gunnells said shortly after last week’s victory over Monroe Area.
That’s because if Madison County (2-1) is going to make a move, this is as good a time as any to do it, Gunnells said.
“Because this is the turning point of the year,” he said. “If you lose this one, things could start teetering a bit.”
A mere look at the region standings shows how important this matchup is for the Raiders.
Madison County is locked in a three-way tie for third place in 8-AAAA with Cedar Shoals (2-1), this Friday’s opponent; and Salem, next Friday’s opponent. Clarke Central (3-0) and Apalachee (2-0) lead the region.
Raider coach Randell Owens notes that his team still controls its own playoff destiny.
“We’re still in a good position,” he said. “The people above us (in the region standings), we’ve got to play them as well.”
Gunnells said he watched the Jaguars in a scrimmage earlier this year and described Cedar Shoals as tough, physical, big and fast. Owens offers a similar assessment of the traditionally-talented Jaguars, calling the Athens team “about like Rockdale County, only better.” Rockdale County, of course, beat Madison County 28-6 in week one.
Owens said that Cedar Shoals, 7-5 last year, looks like it’s only gaining steam as each game passes.
“Bottom line, you’re playing a team that has athletes, and they’re getting better week by week,” he said.
Madison County might be getting better, too.
The Raiders won their second game in a row last week, downing Monroe Area 45-15 behind 526 yards of total offense.
Owens said his team upgraded in multiple areas over the previous week’s down-to-the-wire, 35-29 victory over Winder-Barrow.
“I felt like our kids improved a lot on a lot of things, the mental mistakes from the week before,” Owens said.
Madison County seeks to continue that improvement in a major test Friday and keep pace in a wild Region 8-AAAA playoff race.
The way Owens sees it, there’s slew of contenders fighting for the post season and his team is one of them.
“It’s a nine-team race based on what I’ve seen on film,” he said.
Comments
There are no comments for this announcement.
Seasons
Sponsors
