November is a month known for home cooking, with the tastes and smells of Thanksgiving looming. Well Madison Central is playing to extend its home schedule into the postseason Thursday night as a playoff game in the Jungle is on the line against the Oxford Chargers. It is the regular season finale for both teams. While both teams have clinched a spot in the postseason, the winner secures a top two spot in the region, which earns you a home game for the first round of the playoffs next week. A prize Madison Central Head Coach Toby Collums says is priceless.
“First round home games are huge because you are playing somebody you are not familiar with from another region up north. To not have to go on the road for two hours is definitely an advantage,” said Collums.
The Jaguars were unstoppable and unbeatable in the month of October. They went 5-0 with wins over Grenada, Clinton, Tupelo, Germantown and Murrah. The Jags scored 184 points and gave up just 36 total points, an average margin of 36-7.
“The kids are playing so well right now. Defensively they are making a ton of plays. One of our greatest improvements has been winning the turnover margin, which has put our offense in great positions to put points on the board,” said Madison Central Head Coach Toby Collums.
Coach Collums says two of his biggest keys this week on defense will be the play senior inside linebackers Vic Hollins and JT Evans. Hollins leads the team in tackles with 77, three of those for loss and a sack. Evans is not far behind with 54 tackles and four for loss.
“Offensively, Oxford is going to formation you to death. They will shift, use motion, anything to confuse you to get you out of position. Once they see where you are left exposed, they will try to hit that spot,” said Collums.
That’s why the linebacker play will be so important. Collums says it’s up to them to be the field generals and get their players in the right spots before the snap. The Jaguars are hoping to get a physical and psychological boost this week by getting Senior CJ Barney back on the field. The very versatile defensive lineman and linebacker has been out since week two with a lower leg injury.
The Chargers offense is very balanced. Senior quarterback Michael Harvey passes for about 100 yards a game, while junior running back Roman Gregory rushes for nearly 75 yards a game and has scored eight touchdowns. Oxford has several interchangeable receivers in junior Cashe Shows, sophomore Jack Harper and sophomore Dane Harmon. Coach Collums knows this offense will be a great test for his defense.
“Oxford has been in the state championship game the last two years, winning one of the two. They are confident because of their past. We have to step up and be just as confident,” said Collums.
The Madison Central offense opens November rolling on the arm and legs of quarterback Vic Sutton. The junior signal caller, playing in his first full varsity season, has matured each and every game. Sutton is completing 55 percent of his passes and thrown for more than 1,200 yards with 12 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Sutton has also run for nearly 300 yards and four touchdowns out of the backfield.
“Vic came into the year with only four varsity games under his belt. I love seeing him get more and more confidence each week. Early in the season we didn’t have a lot of continuity in the passing game, but Vic and our receivers have really gotten on the same page. The best thing Vic is learning is to not force the ball and to let the big plays happen when they are there,” said Collums.
The receiving corp is led by junior Isiah Spencer. Spencer has more than 600 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Collums says Isaiah is their deep threat and can win every 50/50 ball that is thrown his way. And then there is senior Tight end Blake Gunter. Gunter is the second leading receiver but has done so much more as a decoy and blocker.
“Blake’s numbers are down from last year because defenses are keying on him. It’s tough to battle through double teams as a tight end. But Blake is so unselfish and such a leader. The attention defenses have given him has opened up opportunities for guys like Isaiah and Dumas, “Coach Collums said.
While the passing game has blossomed, Collums says the Jaguars identity is running the football and that’s what they take pride in. It’s not a secret who carries the rushing ID card, that’s senior running back Robert Dumas Jr. Dumas is closing in on 1,000 yards on the season and scored 15 touchdowns. This young man averages almost seven yards a carry.
“Dumas is such a fun player to watch, he’ll never be the biggest guy in the backfield but he will slip right past you. He is healthy and ready to help us make a deep playoff run,” added Collums.
Defensively, Collums says Oxford will be a tough nut to crack with a tough 3-3 stack, but he likes his chances with his playmakers in Sutton to get the ball moving through the air and Dumas leading the ground attack.
November is here, with a chill in the air and a time to break out the recipe book for the holidays. The Jaguars are hoping to keep on cooking in their own kitchen with a win over Oxford on Thursday night.
Current Rankings 6A Region 2
As we head into the last game of the regular season with the top four teams making the playoffs:
Starkville 5-1
Madison Central 5-1
Oxford 5-1
Clinton 4-2
Germantown 2-4
Tupelo 2-4
Grenada 1-5
Murrah 0-6
At a Glance:
Class/Division: Class: 6A Region 2 (MHSAA)
MRA Head Coach: Toby Collums (First season at MC)
Assistant Coaches: Jonathan Brooks, Mike Davis, Dusty Finley, Nick Griffin, Mike Hendershot, Jay Livingston, Tate Rogers, Terrance Robinson, Ben Shelton, Erik Stensaas, Blakely Walden.
2020 Record: 5-1 in region, 8-1 overall
The Series: Madison Central and Oxford are tied 2-2
Last Match-Up: Oxford won 25-23 in the 2020 playoffs
Keys to Victory:
On offense: For Madison Central: On offense, keep it up. Vic Sutton has done a great job keeping defenses off balance with his threat of the pass or run. Just don’t force the ball. The playmakers will be there to make plays. Just hit them when they are there. Dumas has a chance to have a huge night as the Oxford linebackers will have to respect the pass and not stack the box. If they do, look out for Spencer to make some magic happen downfield.
On defense: For Madison Central: Don’t get lost in the wash. The Jaguars have tried to work all week on not letting the motion and shifting of the Oxford offense confuse them. Stick with your assignments and watch the ball. Sometimes easier said than done but a key to playing the Chargers. The Jaguar linebackers are absolutely up to the task and should play well.
