The SEC West, AKA, “Region 1, Class 6A” schedule, continued last Friday night for the Grenada Chargers with a trip into Madison County to face the Madison Central Jaguars. It was the second visit this season to a stadium that has a turf playing surface surrounded around it and that seats approximately 5,000.
Being the little brother in the new region with the smallest numbers in the region, the Chargers battled the Top 10 Jaguars to a 14-0 decision. That changed in the third period as the Jaguars exploded for 21 points to win a 35-0 decision.
With the win, Madison Central improves to 4-1 overall and 1-1 inside the region. Grenada drops to 4-2 overall and 0-2 inside Class 6A, Region 2.
“I thought we played hard in the first half,” head coach Ashley Kuhn said. “They made some adjustments and we couldn’t stop their momentum in the third period. Give them credit, they are an outstanding football team.”
Grenada played without the services of quarterback Jaylon Skinner, who broke his hand in the loss to Tupelo last week along with an injured knee. Wide receiver Jahiem Shack took over under center which limited the Chargers ability to throw the football.
The Chargers were unable to move the football on its opening possession and punted to the Jaguars. Madison drove to the GHS 40 fumbling where Jalon Townes recovered. Grenada took the miscue to as deep as the Jags 39. A couple of penalties stalled the drive and forced a punt.
Deandre Pullen put Madison Central on top 7-0 following the extra point with 11:03 left in the second period. The final touchdown of the half came five minutes later as quarterback Vince Sutton scored on a two-yard run making it 14-0 following the extra point.
The Jaguars scored the rest of their points in the third period taking control of the game. Leading rusher Robert Dumas had a 40-yard touchdown run to go with his 142 yards on 14 carries. The final two touchdowns were a 14-yard scoring toss from Sutton to Jake Norris and a four-yard pass to Blake Gunter.
“We are going to continue work hard with what we got and try to improve,” he said. “We were hurt last week with the rains that took away from practice time since we don’t have a place to practice when it is wet.”
Statistically, the Chargers were limited to 114 total yards. Joe Moss led the attack with 80 yards on 21 carries. Jaheim Shack had 28 yards on seven carries.
Defensively, Jalon Townes and Tre Parker both had eight tackles. Zytavion Clay chipped in six tackles. Madison Central had 114 yards passing and 236 yards on the ground.
Kuhn said his team will go back to work and get ready for this week’s home game with Jackson Murrah. The Mustangs lost a 31-12 decision to Germantown last Thursday.
“Murrah will be very athletic and cause us some problems,” he concluded. “We are going to have to have a good week of work and come out ready to play.”
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
