The Hawthorne varsity football team from Hawthorne, FL, will face Madison County from Madison, FL, in a neutral playoff game tonight at 7 PM at Hawthorne. This matchup is part of the “2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – FHSAA Rural Football” tournament.

Madison County vs Hawthorne High School Football Game Info:

What: Florida High School Football
Who: MCHS vs Hawthorne
When: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 7:00pm.
Bracket: 2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – FHSAA Rural Football
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Madison County vs Hawthorne

The Hawthorne Hornets (10-1) and Madison County Cowboys (9-3) are poised to battle tonight at 7 PM in a neutral-site playoff game as part of the “2024 FHSAA Football State Championships – FHSAA Rural Football” tournament. Both teams are coming off stellar seasons and have shown dominance in the postseason, setting the stage for an electrifying showdown.

Season Overview

Hawthorne boasts an impressive 10-1 record and has been dominant at home, where they are unbeaten. The Hornets’ lone loss came against Florida State University High School, a shared opponent with Madison County. Hawthorne averages 36.4 points per game while limiting opponents to just 166 points this season.

Madison County enters with a 9-3 record and has been strong across all venues, particularly in neutral-site games, where they are 2-0. The Cowboys are averaging 32.0 points per game and have been a force in the rushing game, piling up 308.7 yards on the ground per contest.

Team Comparisons

Offense:

• Rushing Game: Madison County has a clear edge, averaging a staggering 308.7 rushing yards per game, led by Jason McDaniel (#0), who contributes 93.6 yards per game. Hawthorne counters with a balanced attack, including 160.8 rushing yards per game, spearheaded by Keenon Johnson (#9), who averages 150.6 yards.
• Passing Game: Hawthorne excels through the air, with quarterback Adrian Curtis (#12) throwing for 149.3 yards per game and connecting with standout receiver Dacarion Debose (#3), who averages 63.6 receiving yards. Madison County’s aerial game is more modest, with 59.4 passing yards per game.

Defense:

• Madison County averages 63.2 tackles per game, led by Octavious Hodge (#2) with 9.0 tackles per game. The Cowboys also average 2.3 sacks, with Kemari Scurry (#1) being a key contributor.
• Hawthorne’s defense is equally solid, averaging 61.8 tackles per game, with Naziy Gent (#8) leading at 9.5 tackles per contest.

Key Players to Watch

• Hawthorne Hornets:
  • Keenon Johnson (#9): A dual-threat leader, Johnson averages 150.6 rushing yards and 11.5 points per game, making him the Hornets’ primary offensive weapon.
  • Adrian Curtis (#12): A dynamic quarterback, Curtis drives Hawthorne’s potent passing attack.
  • Naziy Gent (#8): A defensive anchor with 9.5 tackles per game.
• Madison County Cowboys:
  • Jason McDaniel (#0): The engine of Madison County’s ground game, averaging 93.6 rushing yards and 8.7 points per game.
  • Lj Crumity (#8): A versatile contributor, with 117.1 total yards per game.
  • Octavious Hodge (#2): A defensive leader with 9.0 tackles per game.

Common Opponent

Both teams faced Florida State University High School earlier this season, with Madison County losing 23-13 and Hawthorne falling 41-28. This shared result highlights their similar strengths and challenges heading into tonight’s matchup.

What to Expect

This game pits Madison County’s relentless rushing attack against Hawthorne’s balanced offense and strong passing game. Controlling the trenches will be key, as both teams rely heavily on their ground game to set the tone.

With both teams undefeated in neutral-site games and riding postseason momentum, fans can expect a tightly contested game with state championship implications on the line. Who will advance to the next round? All eyes are on tonight’s clash between these two Florida football powerhouses.