Jaguars end Quistors’ season
Madison Central defense too much for Olive Branch
MADISON CENTRAL 27, OLIVE BRANCH 6
Friday’s trip down Interstate 55 was no doubt a spirited one for the Olive Branch football team.
A win over Madison Central meant the Conquistadors would be one victory away from defending their Mississippi High School Activities Association Class 6A state championship.
Turns out, the ride back was somber, as Olive Branch was shut out through three quarters and the host Jaguars would be the ones earning the berth in next week’s North Half title game following their 27- 6 triumph.
Madison Central (10-3) will play South Panola, while the Quistors call it a season at 11-2.
“They made plays and we didn’t,” Olive Branch coach Scott Samsel said. “We got beat tonight, but we had a great year. I’m not ashamed or disappointed in any way. I mean, I wish we would’ve won tonight. They’re a good football team. We beat them three out of the last four times — that’s just football.”
The Quistors made it a 13-6 game at the 10:56 mark of the fourth quarter, when backup quarterback Josh Cooley hooked up with Dontrell Nelson on a 68-yard touchdown pass. Olive Branch started University of Memphis commitment Sam Craft under center.
“We didn’t make that change because we were disappointed in Sam,” said Samsel. “We were trying to get some speed on the field and drive the football.”
Madison Central, though, recovered the onside kick and marched down the field with the senior QB-WR duo of Jake Schwartz and Keith Williams connecting twice for first downs. The drive was capped with Schwartz’s 1-yard TD plunge at 8:56.
“That was huge,” Madison Central coach Bobby Hall said. “I thought at that point they had gotten the momentum just a little bit, and then for us to take the ball right back down the field and stick it in the end zone. I think that’s a great quality of a football team.”
Madison Central built a 13- 0 lead on the strength of two Patrick Rahaim field goals (22 and 32 yards) and Daniel Goodspeed’s 14-yard TD run at the 8:44 mark of the second quarter.