Raider offense takes flight in 45-15 win

The Raider offense put up plenty of numbers to crunch, shredding Monroe Area for 526 yards -- 253 more than in the first two weeks combined -- in a 45-15 road victory at "The Purple Pit."

“We had a good week of practice,” Madison County offensive lineman John Gunnells said. “We came out and got some stuff done and we executed well. It was good to finally see that.”

The Raiders (2-1) scored 28 points in the second half in winning for the second week in a row. Meanwhile, Monroe Area lost its 13th consecutive game.

Madison County senior quarterback Jacob Owens had his most prolific passing night of the season, completing 13-of-21 passes for 207 yards Friday, while senior running back Kendrick Butler scored twice and ran for 72 yards on five carries. Senior Patrick McCrary had another big-play night at wide receiver, catching three passes for 75 yards.

Madison County rolled up 199 yards of total offense in the first half, leading 17-7 after touchdowns from Stan Maxell (three yards), Butler (18 yards) and a field goal from Ian Webster (32 yards).

The Raiders then turned the night into a lopsided affair with four touchdowns in the second half.

Owens scored on a three-yard keeper late in the third quarter, followed by fourth quarter touchdowns from Bracken Turner (10-yard reception), Butler (49-yard run) and Trae Burton, who snagged Alex Jordan’s first varsity pass and took it 58 yards to the end zone.

The 45 points were Madison County’s most since a 49-7 victory over Elbert County on Sept. 9, 2007.

It could have been more.

Madison County had two kickoff returns for touchdowns called back, missed a 37-yard field goal and fumbled twice inside the Monroe Area 30.

STATISTICS
RUSHING: Cooper 7-91, Butler 5-72-2 TDs, Maxwell 17-70-1 TD, Owens 7-20-1 TD, Dean 1-1
PASSING: Owens 13-21, 207 yards, 1 TD; Jordan 1-1, 58 yards, 1 TD
RECEIVING: McCrary 3-75, Burton 1-58-1 TD, Turner 5-52-1 TD, Butler 1-43, Cooper 4-37

REGION SCORES
Clarke Central 23, Hab. Central 7
Cedar Shoals 39, Winder-Barrow 13
Loganville 47, Salem 35
Madison Co. 45, Monroe Area 15
Heritage 14, Rockdale Co. 10

REGION STANDINGS
Clarke Central 3-0
Apalachee 2-0
Cedar Shoals 2-1
Madison Co. 2-1
Salem 2-1
Loganville 1-1
Hab. Central 1-2
Heritage 1-2
Rockdale Co. 1-2
Winder-Barrow 0-2
Monroe Area 0-3