Mustangs Tame Cougars on Homecoming, 21-7

HUNTINGDON (October 11) — Huntingdon High School celebrated Homecoming Friday with an exciting 21-7 win over the Jackson Central-Merry Cougars.

The win has postseason implications for Region 6-2A, which now has five one-loss teams. Milan is alone atop of the standings with a 4-1 record, having lost to JCM. Four teams are 3-1. Huntingdon lost to Milan. Riverside and JCM both lost to Huntingdon, and Peabody lost to Riverside.

Among those five teams, Huntingdon has the unique advantage of having defeated two of the others. Milan, JCM and Riverside each only have one such win, while Peabody has none.

The Mustangs travel Friday for another region contest at Gibson County, who is 0-4 in region play.

JCM won the coin toss but deferred possession.

Mustang Brady Warbritton received the opening kick and made a solid return to the Huntingdon 41. Warbritton started the drive with two carries to move the chains into Cougar territory. Quarterback Gray Eubanks kept twice for another first down, then gained four. Warbritton ran for eleven, then a JCM penalty moved the ball to the 9. Eubanks kept again for a nine-yard touchdown. Greyson Anderson kicked the PAT, and Huntingdon led 7-0 with 8:10 to play in the first frame.

The Mustang kickoff went out of bounds, and JCM started at their 41. Quarterback Terell Williams threw to Brian McKnight for 31 yards, but the drive stalled there. G. Eubanks and Hayes Eubanks each had a big stop, and Broox Bennett broke up a third-down pass. Cougar Tramarreis Davis punted, and Huntingdon took over at their 12.

Warbritton went 17 yards to start the drive, but JCM shut down the running game, and G. Eubanks punted.

Taking over at their 43, the Cougars drove the ball well, mostly on runs by Jonas Patterson, to get into the red zone. Patterson pressed the ball to the 2 as the first quarter ended. Facing fourth-and-goal at the 2 to start the second frame, Williams’ pass was intercepted by Mustang Tyreke Hutch.

G. Eubanks and Warbritton combined for eleven yards to move the chains, but the drive stalled again. G. Eubanks’ punt was downed at the JCM 40.

The Cougars went three-and-out, and Davis punted.

Warbritton and G. Eubanks kept it mostly on the ground, driving the ball 58 yards on 12 plays. G. Eubanks capped the drive with a one-yard touchdown. Anderson kicked, and the Mustangs led 14-0 a minute before halftime.

JCM ran three plays before Williams threw another interception, this time to Mustang Wesley Williams.

G. Eubanks took a knee to end the half.

The Cougars and Mustangs traded three-and-outs to start the second half.

JCM threatened again, earning three first downs and advancing to the Huntingdon 18 before Bennett recovered a fumble.

The Mustangs failed to capitalize on the turnover, going three-and-out and punting.

Williams completed a pass to Jaylan Young, but followed with another interception to W. Williams.

Defense continued to prevail as Huntingdon went three-and-out and punted again.

JCM again drove the ball into the red zone as the third quarter ended, but turned the ball over on downs early in the final frame.

A couple of runs and a Cougar penalty gave Huntingdon a first down, then G. Eubanks ran for another first. Warbritton then broke loose for a 65-yard touchdown. Anderson kicked the PAT, and the Mustang lead was 21-0 with nine minutes remaining in the game.

JCM started near midfield, but Williams was intercepted by Warbritton after two plays.

Taking over at their own 14, the Mustangs went three-and-out. After the punt, the Cougars took over at the Huntingdon 47.

Patterson made a short gain, then Williams threw to Michael Massey for a 46-yard touchdown. Davis kicked the PAT, and JCM still trailed 21-7 with less than six minutes to go.

A failed onside kick attempt gave the Mustangs the ball at midfield, but they went three-and-out again.

JCM managed a pair of first downs but two big stops by Mustang Braylon Rich doomed the Cougars to another punt.

Huntingdon went three-and-out again but burned the clock down to less than ten seconds.

Williams was sacked by Easton Byars on the first snap and fumbled. Mustang Jeramyah Cannon made the recovery.

G. Eubanks took a knee to seal the Huntingdon victory.