MADISON — Madison Academy scored four touchdowns in the second half, following an “inspirational” halftime talk from Head Coach Grant Reynolds, and beat visiting East Limestone 49-21.

The game was the Class 5A Region 8 opener for the teams; Madison Academy improved to 2-1, 1-0 and East Limestone is 1-1, 0-1. The Mustangs visit Brewer on Friday.

Quarterback Luke Nail accounted for five of the Mustangs’ seven touchdowns; he had four TD passes and scored a touchdown.

Reynolds said he challenged his team as they went into the half tied 21-21 with the visiting Indians.

“We challenged them at halftime because we knew that team wasn’t going away,” he said. “We just came out and made some plays.”

It didn’t take the Mustangs long to answer Reynolds’ challenge as they broke the tie midway through the third quarter. Nail hit Kyle Minor for a touchdown pass and a 28-21 lead.

Then, the Mustangs capitalized on a pair of East Limestone turnovers over the next three minutes to run the count to 42-21.

Nail’s TD passes were to Minor (2), Evan Brooks and Slate Rucker. Also scoring for the Mustangs were Daniel Brent (68-yard TD run) and Avery Seaton.