Madisonville’s offense may have stole the show with a 500-yard performance in Center Friday, but its defense and special teams came up with two of the game’s most crucial plays to help shift the game in the Mustangs’s favor.

Doug’kyrn Johnson celebrates Madisonville’s 52-40 victory over the Roughriders in Center Friday, the team’s second district victory of the season. While it isn’t set in stone, the win is a giant leap toward the Mustangs clinching their first playoff spot in four years.CAMPBELL ATKINS

The Madisonville volleyball team defeated Robinson on the road in five sets with a thrilling comeback late Oct. 19 before dropping their final district home game to top-ranked China Spring on senior night Friday. The Lady Mustangs traveled to Connally Tuesday for the district finale with their playoff ultimate playoff seeding still in question.

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.

Citizens gathered at the Truman Kimbro Convention Center Oct. 19 and again Monday for two forums regarding a possible installation of a hospital district in Madison County, which will appear on the Nov. 2 ballot. Early voting for this election is already underway.

Blessing Ngene (11) led a relentless Madisonville rushing attack in Center Friday with 237 yards and three touchdowns in a critical 52-40 district win over the Roughriders. While a postseason spot is not entirely set in stone for the 2-1 Mustangs, one more win or one more Center loss will solidify their first playoff berth since 2017. CAMPBELL ATKINS

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office announced Shawn Allen, 33, had been apprehended after asking for the public’s help in locating him last week. Allen, who frequented the Madisonville and Midway areas, was wanted on charges of Sexual Assault of a Child and Trafficking of a Minor and was ultimately arrested in Bell County.

Sarah Grace Merry has been doing her part to help the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor volleyball team remain dominant. The Normangee resident played in 16 of the first 17 matches, most recently as a right side hitter.

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.