Madison County Red Raiders

reprinted from The Madison County Journal October 4, 2008 edition

by Ben Munro

Hab Penalized 18 Times in Win Over Madison Co.

It was a prolific night of football at Red Raider Stadium -- for the officials.

Madison County High School (2-4) couldn’t capitalize on 176 yards worth of penalties assessed to visiting Habersham Central (3-3) in a 28-7 loss Friday.

The team from Mt. Airy racked up 18 infractions in the flag-filled affair, but managed to shut out the struggling Red Raiders for the first three quarters in its third-straight win over MCHS.

Madison County’s state playoff hopes continue to dim as the Red Raiders dropped to 2-4 in the region with four games remaining. They're also in danger of suffering the program's first losing season since 1999. Madison County will look for its first win in a month Friday when it travels to face resurgent Loganville (4-1), which is just three points away from being unbeaten.

With the Red Raiders down 21-0, Stacy Mack managed MCHS’s only score against Habersham Central with a 12-yard touchdown at the 10:14 mark in the fourth quarter.

But it was too little, too late.

Madison County managed 171 total yards, but most of that came after the Red Raiders were already down by three touchdowns. The MCHS offense struggled for its third-straight game, converting just 3-of-13 third down opportunities and turning the ball over three times, though the last was a meaningless interception on the last play of the game.

Madison County’s first turnover – on its first possession of the game --- set up Habersham Central’s first score and the defending region champions never looked back.

Picking up a Red Raider fumble on Madison County’s 31, Habersham drove and got on the scoreboard with an eight-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Austin Brown. The Mt. Airy Raiders added a 75-yard touchdown strike from Brown to Zach Mayfield in the second quarter to go up 14-0. Then, tailback David Griffeth scored twice in the second half on touchdown runs of seven and two yards as Habersham Central left Danielsville with a convincing win.

Of course, the most eye-opening stat of the night was Habersham’s penalties. Habersham Central actually accrued more penalty yards (176) than Madison County managed total yards (171).

A huge chunk of that came late in the second quarter.

Habersham picked up a first down inside the Madison County 10, only to have it negated by a penalty. Habersham was then hit with three subsequent unsportsmanlike conduct fouls to force it into a rather rare 4th-and-65 situation.

Madison County committed six infractions in the game for a total of 24 flags on the night between the two teams.

Rushing: Mack 5-40-1TD; Owens 8-7; Johnson 2-2; Allen 4-1; Gunnells 1- -1
Passing: Owens 13-31, 117 yards, 0 TD 2 INT; Allen 1-1, 5 yards
Receiving: Allen 6-65; Turner 4-32; Baird 2-23, Owens 1-5; Mack 1- -3

Madison County also could not capitalize on Habersham Central's lack of discipline. Habersham Central picked up 17 penalties for 154 yards, including three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on the sideline.

"I'm embarrassed about the penalties, definitely," Habersham Central coach Gene Cathcart said. "It's a bad reflection on me, the head coach. We can't be doing that. When the Miami Dolphins were winning Super Bowls they were the least-penalized team in the NFL. You can't be letting yourself go like that."

Habersham Central's Colton Webber recovered a fumble at the Madison County 31-yard line to set up the first score of the game. Habersham Central converted a third-and-goal from the 8-yard line when Austin Brown hit Ty Fry for a touchdown to give Habersham Central a 7-0 lead with 5:37 left in the first quarter. A 76-yard touchdown pass from Brown to Zach Mayfield gave Habersham Central a 14-0 lead with 7:39 left in the second quarter.

"We're a young team and that was big to be able to get a break like that," Cathcart said. "We were able to get some confidence under us and it set the tone for the rest of the game."

Habersham Central outgained Madison County 356-169. Sophomore running back Dee Griffin gained 90 yards on 13 carries and had two touchdowns. Brown completed 7 of 14 passes for 171 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Mayfield caught three passes for 97 yards.

Madison County completed 13 of 29 passes for 119 yards with two interceptions. Madison County also ran 20 times for 45 yards.

Madison County's only score came in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard run by Stacy Mack to bring Madison County within 21-7 with 10:14 left.

Habersham Central responded by marching to a 1-yard touchdown plunge by for the final margin of victory.

Madison County struggled on offense in the first half. Madison County managed 26 rushing yards and 33 passing yards to go with three first downs and two turnovers to trail by two touchdowns.

Habersham Central drove to a 6-yard touchdown run by Griffin on its first possession of the second half to lead 21-0.

Madison County scored early in the fourth after a five-play, 43-yard drive. A 22-yard pass from Jacob Owens to Aldreakis Allen sparked the drive. Stacy Mack carried the final 10 yards to bring Madison County within 21-7 with 10:14 left.

GAME REPORT

• Turning Point: Habersham Central's Colton Webber recovered a fumble on Madison County's third snap of the game to set up the first score.

• Key Stat: Habersham Central offset 17 penalties for 154 yards by outgaining Madison County 356-169.

• Impact: Madison County has lost three straight Region 8-AAAA games.

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Saturday, October 04, 2008

reprinted from the Madison County Journal online edition, September 27, 2008

reprinted from The Athens Banner Herald September 27, 2008 edition

At Conyers, the Red Raiders fought back from a 14-0 halftime deficit, but couldn't close the deal. Kendrick Butler scored on a 1-yard run in a third-quarter drive that was highlighted by a 54-yard kick return by Claude Johnson.

Madison County's subsequent onsides kick attempt was recovered by Salem, which quickly scored to retain its two-touchdown advantage.

The Red Raiders recovered a Semimoles fumble late in the fourth quarter and converted the turnover into points when Aldreakis Allen scored on a 1-yard run with 2:26 to play.

Madison County tried another onside kick and recovered the ball, but quarterback Jacob Owens was sacked twice and threw an interception with 40 seconds remaining.

The Red Raiders (2-3, 2-3 in Region 8-AAAA) will host Habersham Central on Friday.