Madisonville’s ground game exploded for over 300 rushing yards in the team’s 27-18 win over Shepherd to open district play Friday. A number of backs got in on the action, but the attack was led by quarterback Jeramiah Burns.

“When you have an athletic quarterback like we have, we always feel like the odds are in our favor in the read game or when we just call a run play to (Burns),” said head coach Russell Urbantke.

Burns ran for 140 yards on 20 attempts Friday (an average of seven yards per carry), which created scoring opportunities for the Mustangs throughout the night and kept Shepherd’s defense off balance. He would find pay dirt with his legs after leading a 55-yard scoring drive to open the third quarter and give the Mustangs a commanding 20-2 advantage.

On the touchdown scramble, he was able to handle an errant snap before recovering and finding the end zone in impressive fashion.

But Burns was far from the only Madisonville ball carrier Shepherd had to worry about. Devin Wheaton also reached the century mark in rushing yards on just two carries thanks to a jet sweep play he turned into an 84-yard touchdown in the second quarter that would help the Mustangs break away. The score gave Madisonville a two-possession lead, which they would never relinquish.

Blessing Ngene was second in carries behind Burns with seven, which he turned into 88 yards (12.6 yards per attempt). Ngene scored the first and final touchdowns of the night for the Mustangs, including a 44-yard score to break the ice in the first quarter. “I was very proud of how the offensive line did and how they blocked and handled some of the pressure Shepherd gave us,” said Urbantke.

“I kind of challenged the guys up front and knew we would have to have a big night from them. There was really one side of their defense that we were attacking that we felt like the odds were in our favor to run and we did a really good job of it.”

Through the air, Burns was three-for-six for 22 yards with an interception. Rayce Hudson hauled in a pair of his completions for a total of 20 yards while Lorenzo Johnson caught one for two yards.

The Madisonville offensive attack will look to strike again against Rusk’s 3-4 defense in their second district matchup of the season Friday at MHS. The Eagles fell to Jasper in their opening district matchup Friday, but surrendered just one touchdown in the 7-0 loss.

“I think we have a great game plan for (Rusk) and they are an active front,” said Urbantke.

“Their inside linebackers are probably their best defensive players. (Junior Aiden McCown) is their safety and he makes a lot of plays. He never leaves the field on defense.”