MADISON — A surprise onside kick by Madison Academy helped spur the Mustangs to a 45-28 win last Friday over a tenacious Brooks squad.

It was the regular season finale for both teams. The Mustangs, 9-1 overall, host Alexandria in Friday’s first round of the AHSAA playoffs.

The Mustangs, ranked No. 5 in Class 5A, found themselves in a tussle with the Lions, who are No. 3 in 4A.

Avery Seaton passed for three touchdowns and scored one himself while Luke Nail was 15-of-29 passing for 328 yards with one touchdown. Slate Rucker had a pair of touchdown receptions.

The Lions and Mustangs matched each other touchdown for touchdown in the early going before Seaton hit Rucker on a 29-yard pass for a 20-14 lead and they never looked back.

Highlighting the MA offense was a 75-yard catch-and-run pass from Seaton to Kyle Minor to give the Mustangs a 14-7 lead.

But Brooks wouldn’t go away and the Mustangs held a tenuous 30-21 lead at the half.

Madison Academy Head Coach Grant Reynolds had his team pull a surprise onside kick to open the second half.

Seaton connected with Clay Pitsinos on an 18-yard touchdown pass and the two-point conversion boosted the Mustangs’ lead to 38-21.

The Madison Academy defense hunkered down to hold the Lions to one touchdown the rest of the way.

Hunter Schrader scored the final touchdown for the Mustangs who rolled up 489 yards of offense.