Published: October 11, 2008 01:54 am            

Undefeated Indians fall at Scott County

GEORGETOWN — Madison Central (5-1) used big plays to build a 21-14 lead against Scott County (4-2) early in the third quarter, but wasn’t unable to score when it mattered the most.

Jay Willmott drilled a game-winning 36-yard field goal with 4:13 remaining to help the No. 7 Cardinals defeat the No. 2 Indians 24-21 Friday at Toyota Stadium.

The Indians marched the ball 70 yards on their final drive of the game, but they were called for an ineligible player downfield penalty on 3rd-and-4.

Gordo Horn missed a 40-yard field goal attempt on 4th-and-17 with 1:11 left to play.

Scott County quarterback Cory Cronin took a knee on three consecutive plays to secure the upset victory.

“We didn’t execute at the most critical time,” Madison Central coach Kenny Turner said. “We didn’t do what we needed to do.”

The Indians appeared to be on their way to a blowout victory early.

After forcing Scott County to punt on its opening possession, Madison Central gained 77 yards on five plays, on the way to a 32-yard touchdown run by Keshawn Simpson at the 5:55 mark of the opening quarter.

Key special teams plays helped the Indians tally their second score of the game early in the second period.

J.R. Heiner blocked Willmott’s punt at the Scott County 46-yard line, and Elijah Zimmerman scooped up the ball and ran to the 2-yard line before being tackled by Scott County’s Josh Walls.

On the next play, Isaiah Kavanaugh scored on a run up the middle to extend Madison Central’s advantage to 14-0 with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter.

Madison Central’s Cameron Feltz recovered a Cronin fumble at the Scott County 48-yard line on the Cardinals’ next possession.

But the Indians were unable to move the ball forward on three consecutive plays and faced a 4th-and-11 situation.

Madison Central then lined up in punt formation and snapped the ball to Heiner in the up-back position. Heiner’s pass downfield was intercepted by Marcus Hill, who returned the ball 14 yards to the Madison Central 43-yard line.

“I thought they might fake a punt against us,” Scott County coach Jim McKee said. “They faked a punt when we played them last year.”

The play seemed to spark the Cardinals.

Scott County reached the end zone two plays later on a 42-yard touchdown pass from Cronin to Josh Walls at the 6:04 mark of the second quarter.

The Cardinals then forced the Indians to go three plays and out on their next series.

Meanwhile, Scott County put together a five-play, 35-yard drive that resulted in a 25-yard touchdown pass from Cronin to Walls with 1:12 left in the half to tie the score at 14 at the break.

Kavanaugh reeled off an 80-yard touchdown run on the Indians first play from scrimmage in the third quarter to give Madison Central a quick 21-14 lead.

Unfortunately for the Indians, that would be the last time they reached the end zone.

Walls answered for the Cardinals just 3:58 into the fourth quarter when he broke free for a 49-yard touchdown run.

After failing to convert a first down on its next possession, Madison Central was unable to slow down Scott County’s running game.

The Cardinals totaled 38 yards on seven running plays to set up a 4th-and-2 play at the Madison Central 19-yard line with 4:13 remaining in the game.

Despite missing a 34-yard field goal in the first quarter, Willmott remain-ed confident and drilled the 36-yard attempt.

“I was just trying to concentrate on the next kick,” Willmott said. “Coach McKee has always told me the most important kick is the next kick, so I tried to keep that in mind.”

The Indians drove the ball 57 yards on 11 plays during their final possession, but they were unable to crack the scoreboard.

“This is only one game of many more to go,” Turner said. “We will bounce back and go ahead and correct those mistakes. We still have a long way to go.”

Kavanaugh led the Indians with 124 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 11 carries, while Simpson chipped in 113 yards and one score on 15 attempts.

Simpson and James Ballew each posted a team-high six tackles on defense.

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.