Following a Madison Academy fumble on a punt snap on the opening drive, North Jackson’s Deuntae Johnson took the ball in from 9 yards out for his first of three touchdowns Aug. 27, en route to a dominating win over the Mustangs, 42-7.

The Mustangs answered the Chiefs’ score with a drive deep into North Jackson territory, but Bennett Smith’s 27-yard field goal was tipped, and that would be as close as Madison Academy would get.

“You can’t make mistakes and hand North Jackson the ball on a short field,” Madison Academy head coach Eric Cohu said. “They’re too good of a team.”

Johnson scored what appeared to be his second touchdown of the game on a 79-yard screen pass from Zachary Barnard on the ensuing drive, but the play was called back due to a block and in the back, and the Chiefs were forced to punt three plays later.

In the second quarter, the Chiefs got back on the board on a 12-yard run by Montel Hale to increase the lead to 14-0.

Following an interception by Madison Academy quarterback Joe Dobson, Johnson added his third score of the half on a 10-yard run with 3:12 remaining.

Dobson threw another interception on the North Jackson 1-yard line with seconds remaining to end the Mustangs’ chances of scoring.

The second half began like the first half, as Denzel Bynum took the opening kickoff 90 yards for the score.

North Jackson added another score four minutes later on a 9-yard run by Johnson before closing out their scoring on a 26-yard pass from Barnard to Joseph Cooper.

Johnson finished with 100 yards rushing on 17 attempts.

The Mustangs refused to be shut out, as third-string quarterback Thomas Nay connected with Chandler Trach for a 65-yard touchdown strike with just under four minutes remaining in the game.

“There were some positives in the game,” Cohu said. “We moved the ball (offensively).”

The Mustangs finished with 269 yards to North Jackson’s 382.

Cohu said the loss was the worst of his career, but added the Mustangs will bounce back.

“You’ve got to move on, turn the page and keep going,” Cohu said.

Madison Academy will open up region play Sept. 3, as they play host to Sardis.