High School Football Preview: No. 5 Fort White at Madison County

The high school football postseason will continue tonight as the Fort White Indians (9-2) go on the road to take on the Madison County Cowboys (8-3).

The Cowboys began their season with three consecutive losses before winning the next eight contests, including last weeks 65-12 rout of Union County in the first round of the playoffs.

Since 2005, the Indians have earned one win in nine games against the Cowboys – Fort Whites first district championship in 2013.

“The energy was good, the guys are focused, everybody’s bouncing around.” Fort White head coach Demetric Jackson said of this weeks practice. “They’re just excited to be back in this situation of winning the first round.”

Jacksons team will need to make defensive stops early on, as Madison Countys offense averages 388.5 yards per game. The Cowboys don’t just rack up yards though, they run a ground-and-pound scheme that has resulted in 13 rushing touchdowns for QB Kentwan Daniels.

Along with their athletic QB, the Cowboys have two tailbacks: Patrick Brown and Teryon Henderson, who have accounted for over 1,800 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns.

“We have several guys that play both ways, but I think we’re a little stronger on defense.” Coach Demetric Jackson said of his team. “So we definitely take pride in trying to create turnovers and being sound on defense.”

The Indians also employ on a balanced offensive attack, averaging over 27 points per game behind QB Demetric Jackson. Jackson has produced 14 total TDs this season and he’s only thrown three interceptions.

If Jackson can limit turnovers, look for Fort White’s leading rushers, RBs Jacquez Pelham and Donald Robinson, to have a big game. The two backs have rushed for over 1,600 yards this season, resulting in 25 total scores for the Indians.

If the Indians have a slow start against Madison County, Coach Jackson may make early offensive adjustments.

“We’ve just been playing one quarterback as of late,” Coach Demetric Jackson explained. “But we do have two quarterbacks that definitely can play.”