Sports

Madisonville Varsity Cheerleaders of the Week Karli McCarty, Ciarra Merchant, Kendall McCarty and Kyra Johnson pose together following the team’s district win in Center Friday. COURTESY PHOTOS Madisonville Junior High Cheerleader of the Week Analiyah Zaragoza, Emily Harrison and Anna Basinger pose together at MHS Thursday.

Madisonville youth cheerleaders attended the Heart of Texas Youth Cheer Competition Saturday in Waco and took home the first place trophy in the junior division. COURTESY PHOTO.

The Madisonville fall tennis team continues to set new benchmarks for the program as they advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals with a 10-3 team victory over Burnet in the Area round Friday morning. The Mustangs matched up with Little River Academy Tuesday with a trip to the Regional Semifinals on the line.

Xzavier Whaley celebrates with his teammates after crossing the goal line for the second time midway through the second quarter Friday, which gave the Mustangs a 14-10 lead at the time. Whaley scored a pair of touchdowns and averaged over five yards per carry in the team’s 31-28 district loss at MHS.

Madisonville’s offense showcased resilience throughout Friday’s 31-28 district loss to Rusk at MHS while battling from behind early and often. It wasn’t until late in the first quarter that the offense took the field for the first time after the team surrendered an early touchdown and field goal after an onside kick.

Madisonville’s defense helped keep the Mustangs in the game Friday with a pair of fumble recoveries in the first half and a late stop that gave the ball back to their offense down three. They went up against Colorado University commit Owen McCown and a relentless passing attack in the 31-28 defeat.

Members of the Madisonville High School Life Skills class perform the National Anthem at Mustang Stadium prior to Friday’s football game against Rusk. Pictured are (from left) DaByreious Jordan, Hannah Shadle, Christian Wilson, Curtis Ledbetter, Michael Wilson and Kevin Villicana.

Madisonville Junior High Cheerleader of the Week Whitney Wakefield poses at MHS Thursday. COURTESY PHOTOS The entire squad was awarded the Varsity Cheerleaders of the Week honor for their performance at MHS Friday during the Mustang football game against Rusk.

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.