Madison County Red Raiders

DANIELSVILLE - Madison County's offense spent most of the first half of its game against Monroe Area looking like its attention focused more on the postgame homecoming dance than football.

After a friendly reminder from the head coach, the Red Raiders settled its mind on disposing of Monroe Area, scored four times and cruised to a 34-0 shutout on Friday at Red Raider Field.

"If you look at the homecoming court and then look at me, you'd know where their attention was," Madison County coach Randell Owens said. "I'm a fat, bald, 51-year-old man. If you're a 16-, 17-year-old boy, where'd your attention be? After halftime, it was like they said, 'We've seen them. They look good. Now let's play football.' "

Madison County (2-1, 2-1 in Region 8-AAAA) played a sloppy first half. It started five of eight first-half possessions inside the Monroe Area end of the field and failed to score on any of them. Madison County's one score came on a 70-yard drive that consisted mostly of two plays. Madison County threw 11 incomplete passes, an interception and punted six times in the first half despite taking all but six of 29 of its first-half snaps on Monroe Area's side of the field.

"We were making a lot of bonehead plays in the first half," Madison County receiver Aldreakis Allen said. "At halftime, coach gave us a speech. He reminded us of why we were there. He didn't get mad or anything. He told us that we didn't want to get embarrassed on homecoming. On a scale of one to 10, I'd give it a four. But he got his point across."

Allen led Madison County's offense with four catches for 101 yards. He had a 29-yard touchdown catch, a 2-yard touchdown run and a two-point conversion.

Madison County finally struck late in the first quarter with its passing game. Jacob Owens hit Allen for a 43-yard catch-and-run to give the Red Raiders the ball at Monroe Area's 23. Two plays later, Jacob Owens found Bracken Turner in the left flat. He stiff-armed a linebacker out of the way and raced to the end zone to give the Red Raiders a 6-0 lead with 2:18 left in the first quarter.

Turner had a strong night on both sides of the line. He caught two passes for 52 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown. He also picked off three passes in the second half.

"Those three picks were all because of the line," Turner said. "We were getting incredible pressure all night. It was our defense that kept us in the game in the first half and made up for our mistakes in the second."

Madison County sacked Monroe Area quarterbacks seven times and forced four turnovers. Madison County allowed five first downs, including two in the second half. Monroe Area (0-3, 0-3) managed 33 rushing yards in the game and completed 7 of 21 passes for 86 yards and three interceptions.

Madison County quarterback Jacob Owens completed 10 of 27 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Owens also ran for a 13-yard score.

Jamal Cooper caught two passes for 65 yards and a touchdown.

Madison County started its second-half outburst on its first possession after homecoming queen crowning. Jacob Owens scrambled for 20 yards to convert a third-and-12 from midfield. Monroe Area gave Madison County a first down at the 16 after an encroachment penalty on fourth-and-1. Owens carried the final 13 yards to the end zone. Allen's 2-point run gave Madison County a 14-0 lead with 7:57 left in the third quarter.

Madison County's ensuing squib kick banged off of a Monroe County up-back. Marcus Johnson jumped on the ball to gain possession at the Monroe area 46.

After a holding penalty, Cooper caught a screen pass from Owens and raced 55 yards to the end zone to give Madison County a 21-0 third-quarter lead.

Madison County scored its third touchdown on as many possessions in the third quarter when Allen added a 2-yard run.

Turner's second interception of the game set up a 23-yard touchdown pass from Owens to Allen in the fourth quarter.

GAME REPORT

• Turning point: After stumbling to a 6-0 lead in the first half, Madison County scored touchdowns on three straight possessions to start the third quarter.

• Key stat: Madison County had seven sacks and safety Bracken Turner made three interceptions.

• Impact: Madison County wins its second straight game and is now 2-1 in Region 8-AAAA.

Originally published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Saturday, September 13, 2008