MADISON — In an unfamiliar situation, you kind of didn’t know what to expect.
Behind the running of Jake Reeves, MRA was able to run past PCS 42-23 in a key MAIS Class AAAA, Division I matchup at Patriot Field on Thursday night.
The Bobcats (6-5) and Patriots (7-4) will meet again next week at MRA in the first round of the MAIS Class AAAA, Division I playoffs next week.
“Our offensive line and defensive line set the tone early and were able to control the line of scrimmage,” said MRA coach Herbert Davis. “It starts with those guys and Jake is a such a hard nosed competitor. He’s started to get comfortable in this eye formation we started three weeks ago and he’s starting to start making the one cut at the line of scrimmage and going vertically up field.”
Reeves would rush 36 times for 249 yards with five touchdowns to lead the Patriots offensively. He scored on runs from 9, 5, 5, 7 and 5 yards out.
After being down 16-7 at the end of the first quarter MRA would outscore PCS 21-0 in the second quarter to take a 28-16 lead at halftime.
On Reeves’ second 5-yard touchdown run gave the Patriots the lead for good at 21-16 with 8:13 left in the first half.
“That’s who we are. A power running football team,” Davis said. “What scares me is PCS will come back with a different attitude and different formations.”
MRA quarterback Pierce Smith tossed for 215 yards with a touchdown.
Brandon Thornton had 168 yards passing with a touchdown to lead the Bobcats offensively.
Tyson Keys had a 52-yard touchdown run on the games third play from scrimmage to give PCS a 7-0 and a 1-yard touchdown run with 8:25 left in the first quarter to give Bobcats a 13-0 lead.
“They whipped us on both fronts on the line of scrimmage,” said PCS coach Joey Hawkins. “We weren’t able to run the ball and that’s what hurt us.”
