The Avery junior varsity trailed early in Thursday's game in Marshall against Madison, roared back to lead 14-6 at halftime, but a special teams error, the inability to finish scoring drives, and a key injury on the Vikings' final drive hampered the Big Red in a 20-14 loss.Avery surrendered the first points in the game as Patriots running back Ethan Ball scored on a run through the Viking line for a 6-0 lead.
The Vikings tied the contest up at 6-6 primarily using its ground game with the running of the triumvirate of Kenny Hicks, Nathaniel Buchanan, and Hunter Shields. A Hicks touchdown run put the Vikings on the board.
Avery scored its second touchdown on defense in the final minute of the first half as Remington Austin rushed Madison quarterback Shelton who threw a backward pass to prevent a sack. Tyler Long alertly scooped up the pigskin and raced 37 yards for a touchdown.
The Vikings converted a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Alex Villanueva to wide receiver Andy Gonzalez. Avery took the 14-6 lead into halftime.
A special teams error cost the Vikings greatly in the third quarter as, on a Madison punt, the Avery receiver muffed the punt deep in Viking territory. The football caromed into the end zone and was recovered by the Patriots for a touchdown. Madison failed to convert the two-point conversion, but had cut the Avery lead to 14-12.
The Vikings had the opportunity to put the dagger in their opponent midway through the fourth quarter, as the ground game picked up chunks of yardage and a pair of Villanueva completions pushed Avery to the Madison 15 yard line. The Patriots held, however, to get back the football at its own 20 yard line.
Madison used only two plays following the turnover on downs to score what proved to be the winning score. A 30-yard pass play to midfield was immediately followed by a second scoring run from Ball, a 50-yard gallop to the pylon giving the Patriots an 18-14 edge. A conversion run gave Madison a six-point bulge with 2:18 left in the game.
Avery had one final chance to drive for a winning score, but a big hit on a first down carry by quarterback Villanueva forced the talented freshman out of action for the remainder of the game.
The loss of its field general shook the Viking offense, as the next three plays netted negative yardage. A fourth down pass play fell short, giving Madison the football for two quarterback knee plays to end the contest.
The Vikings drop to 3-5 on the season and return to MacDonald Stadium next Thursday night to host the Mountain Heritage Cougars junior varsity squad.
The Vikings tied the contest up at 6-6 primarily using its ground game with the running of the triumvirate of Kenny Hicks, Nathaniel Buchanan, and Hunter Shields. A Hicks touchdown run put the Vikings on the board.Avery scored its second touchdown on defense in the final minute of the first half as Remington Austin rushed Madison quarterback Shelton who threw a backward pass to prevent a sack. Tyler Long alertly scooped up the pigskin and raced 37 yards for a touchdown.
The Vikings converted a two-point conversion pass from quarterback Alex Villanueva to wide receiver Andy Gonzalez. Avery took the 14-6 lead into halftime.
A special teams error cost the Vikings greatly in the third quarter as, on a Madison punt, the Avery receiver muffed the punt deep in Viking territory. The football caromed into the end zone and was recovered by the Patriots for a touchdown. Madison failed to convert the two-point conversion, but had cut the Avery lead to 14-12.
The Vikings had the opportunity to put the dagger in their opponent midway through the fourth quarter, as the ground game picked up chunks of yardage and a pair of Villanueva completions pushed Avery to the Madison 15 yard line. The Patriots held, however, to get back the football at its own 20 yard line.
Madison used only two plays following the turnover on downs to score what proved to be the winning score. A 30-yard pass play to midfield was immediately followed by a second scoring run from Ball, a 50-yard gallop to the pylon giving the Patriots an 18-14 edge. A conversion run gave Madison a six-point bulge with 2:18 left in the game.
Avery had one final chance to drive for a winning score, but a big hit on a first down carry by quarterback Villanueva forced the talented freshman out of action for the remainder of the game.
The loss of its field general shook the Viking offense, as the next three plays netted negative yardage. A fourth down pass play fell short, giving Madison the football for two quarterback knee plays to end the contest.
The Vikings drop to 3-5 on the season and return to MacDonald Stadium next Thursday night to host the Mountain Heritage Cougars junior varsity squad.
