Football Preview: Madisonville Mustangs vs. Center Roughriders
The Madisonville Mustangs will head out on the road to challenge the Center Roughriders at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. Both might be coming in a bit winded given these two teams combined for 974 yards in their previous games.
Madisonville is headed in fresh off scoring the most points they have all season. They were outmatched by Columbus at home and fell 62-35. While losing is never fun, the Mustangs can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Texas football rankings (they are ranked 207th, while the Cardinals are ranked 52nd).
Madisonville might have lost, but man, Phillip Green was a machine: he rushed for 195 yards and two touchdowns, and also caught a touchdown. Green is crushing it when it comes to rushing yards: he's rushed for at least 118 every time he's taken the field this season. Jaden Simpson handled things on the ground, rushing for 87 yards and a rushing touchdown.
He was just one part of a punishing run game: Madisonville was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 288 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've managed all season.
Meanwhile, Center put another one in the bag on Friday to keep their perfect season alive. They were the clear victor by a 48-23 margin over Daingerfield. The result was nothing new for the Roughriders, who have now won three matchups by 21 points or more so far this season.
Center got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Jaysis Villegas out in front who rushed for 82 yards and two touchdowns. The team also got some help courtesy of Timothy Johnson, who picked up 93 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Madisonville's loss ended an eight-game streak of wins at home dating back to last season and dropped them to 2-2. As for Center, their win bumped their record up to 4-0.
Friday's match might be decided in the on the ground. Madisonville has been unstoppable on the ground this season, having averaged 231.3 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Center struggles in that department as they've been averaging 229.7. It's looking like Friday's contest might have some serious battles in the trenches.
Everything came up roses for Madisonville against Center when the teams last played back in October of 2021, as the squad secured a 36-0 victory. Does Madisonville have another victory up their sleeve, or will Center turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
