Madison County, Winder-Barrow to fight for first win of 2011

Well, it will be for either Madison County or Winder. Both teams enter Friday night’s showdown in Danielsville at 0-2, with both struggling early in the tough Region 8-AAAA.

The Red Raiders dropped their opener on the road at Flowery Branch 56-7, while the Bulldogs fell to Flowery Branch last week 64-7.

Madison County fell last Friday to Salem 36-7. Winder’s other loss was a 17-13 setback to Rockdale County in week one.

“They’re somewhat like us now,” said Red Raider head coach Randell Owens of this week’s foe. “They’re trying to find their way. It will come down to who makes the least mental mistakes.”

Owens said Winder is better than last year, when the Bulldogs finished 0-10. Madison County, which finished 1-9 in 2010, topped Winder 22-16 last year.

“They’ve gotten away from the Wing-T to more of a spread type offense,” said Owens. “They’ve improved over the last year at the line.”

The Red Raiders hope to put the disappointment of the first two weeks behind and to find more offensive production. Madison County struggled to find any offensive juice Friday in a 36-7 loss to visiting Salem.

“We knew they were an athletic team,” said Owens of Salem. “They have a strong line and good skill people. We felt we had a chance to play with them if we could play without mistakes. But we did make mistakes, failing to field the opening kickoff and numerous other miscues. In a big game like that, you can’t make those kind of mistakes.”

Owens said Hayes Hill, who finished with 19 tackles and two forced fumbles, played really well. He also praised the play of center Andrew McCannon and return man Staquavious Mack.

Note: Madison County’s ninth grade squad dropped its opening game of the year this past week 25-24 to North Oconee.