Mountaineers narrowly miss playoffs

MANASSAS PARK — Madison County had little trouble taking care of Manassas Park Friday night, but it turned out that the Mountaineers 41-13 victory over the Cougars wasn’t quite enough to push MCHS into the Region B playoffs.

With several of Madison’s previous opponents losing Friday, Goochland (6-4) edged out the Mountaineers (8-2) for the final playoff spot, finishing with 19.55 power points to Madison’s 19.5.

Believing they were fighting for a potential playoff berth, the Mountaineers jumped on Manassas Park early with Chris Fincham returning a kickoff 85 yards in the first quarter for a touchdown. Dustin Kirby added a one-yard touchdown run in the opening period and Will Taylor, who shared snaps with Kirby at quarterback, added a one-yard touchdown of his own in the second quarter to make it 21-0 at the half.

Madison extended the lead in the third period when Logan Terrell, who finished with 72 yards rushing on 11 carries, cross the goal line from a yard out to make it 28-0. The Cougars finally got on the board early in the fourth with a 13-yard touchdown pass from Cory Swanson to Brandon Livingston, but by that time the Mountaineers had the game in hand.

Devon Boone added an 18-yard touchdown run and Fincham scored again from 10 yard out for the Mountaineers before Swanson and Livingston hooked up again for a 24-yard touchdown.

Boone finished with 89 yards rushing on 15 carriers for Madison and Kirby completed 5 of 9 passes for 47 yards. Terrell also completed a pass for 20 yards.

Ashton Patron led Manassas Park in rushing with 53 yards on eight carries. Swanson completed 4 of 9 passes for two touchdowns, but also had three interceptions. Livingston made three catches for 48 yards to lead the Cougars’ receivers.