Too much Jakari Matchem. Too much Cole Presswood. Too much McCracken quick-strike offense.
All of which spelled a 49-35 Mustang victory over Henderson County Friday night at Marquette Stadium, a win that at least pulled McCracken County into a tie with both Henderson County and Christian County for the Class 6A District 1 championship.
Considering the three-way tie, Mustang Coach Tyler Brooks said, the district title could come down to the Mustangs’ performance next Friday night at home against Owensboro with regard to the RPI for all three teams.With one non-district game remaining in the regular season, the Mustangs improved to 6-3 overall and 1-1 in the district. The Colonels fell to 4-5 overall and 1-1 in the district.
Behind four touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Cole Presswood and three touchdowns from receiver Jakari Matchem—one on a kickoff return—the Mustangs raced to a 41-14 halftime lead. A late surge by the Colonels, however, gave McCracken County a bit of anxiety late in the fourth quarter despite a running clock.
An onside kick and a blocked punt gave Henderson County hope.
“I told the kids in the huddle after the game that they just can’t let up,” Brooks said. “I was extremely pleased with how well we played offensively in the first half. But, you have to play to the final whistle. They almost came back on us.
Trailing 48-28, a blocked punt near the goal line gave Henderson County a first-and-goal on the Mustang eight with five minutes remaining. Colonel quarterback Brody Belt then hit Christian Haygen with a touchdown pass that brought Henderson County to within 14 points with 4:31 left.
Henderson County got the ball back after another McCracken County punt, but couldn’t do anything with it, and the clock ran out.
The first half was all Presswood, Matchem and the Mustang offense.
Henderson County scored on its first possession on a 5-yard touchdown run by Jack Dalton after a long drive. The Colonels led 7-0 with 7:53 left in the first quarter and it looked as if the Mustangs were in for a tough battle.
Henderson County’s momentum didn’t last long, however, as Matchem, with his blazing speed, took the ensuing kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was missed and the Colonels still led 7-6.
“I wanted the ball in my hands and I just took it to the crib,” Matchem said. “I’ve been nursing a sore ankle, but it sure felt a lot better tonight.”
It took the Mustangs only two plays to score their next two touchdowns. Matchem took a Presswood pass on McCracken County’s next possession and rambled 74 yards for a score.
The Mustangs didn’t let up as Presswood hit Jude Lanier in stride for a 45-yard catch-and-run and found his way to the end zone. After Brock Wilson’s point-after, McCracken County led 20-7 with 1:55 left in the first period.
Presswood and Lanier connected again for a 46-yard touchdown with 8:19 left in the second quarter, giving McCracken County a 27-7 lead.
After Dalton scored his second touchdown on a seven-yard run with 6:02 remaining in the half to cut the lead to 27-14, Presswood and Matchem hooked up for a 59-yard scoring strike in which Matchem outran the Henderson County defense to the end zone.
McCracken County’s defense then showed its prowess as junior defensive back Max Sturm intercepted a Brody Belt pass and rambled 56 yards for a score, pushing the Mustangs’ lead to 41-14 with only 1:29 left in the half.
“Until the fourth quarter, I really felt we played well on both sides of the ball,” Matchem said. “We had a lot of fun in the first half. But as coach said, we can’t let up like that. We have to play all four quarters.”
The Mustangs will host Graves County next Friday night at Marquette Stadium to close out the regular season.