Madison Academy used big plays on offense and a stout defense in Friday’s 49-14 victory over Westminster Christian, as the Mustangs earned an eighth straight victory

The Wildcats (6-4) averaged over 56 points over their last five games, but the Mustangs (8-2) – ranked No. 10 in Class 3A – never allowed Westminster’s offense to get going and limited Westminster quarterback Brandon Musch to 118 yards passing.

Madison Academy’s Ken Cherry led the Mustangs’ offense with 166 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Quarterback Carson Creehan threw for 207 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown pass to Mario Brewer.

Madison Academy (8-2) scored first when Cherry bolted 60 yards for an early 7-0 lead. Westminster (6-4) countered with a nine-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Brandon Musch’s 10-yard TD pass to Owen Lockette.

The Mustangs took control by scoring three more touchdowns before halftime – a 76-yard pass from Creehan to Brewer, a 15-yard touchdown run from Creehan, and a 5-yard run by Cherry – for a 28-7 halftime lead.

Cherry scored on a 50-yard run on the Mustangs’ first second-half possession. Westminster’s T.J. Carter returned the ensuing kickoff 53 yards to the Mustang 35 yard line, and Musch hit Henry Claunch on a 10-yard swing pass for the Wildcats only score of the second half.

Madison Academy scored twice in the fourth quarter, a 2-yard run by Cherry and a 12-yard run by Josh Williams.

Star of the Game: Cherry ran for four touchdowns and amassed 166 yards on the ground.

Stat sheet: Madison Academy – 535 yards of total offense, 328 rushing and 207 passing. Williams had 81 yards on 14 carries and a touchdown. Brewer added six catches for 108 yards and one touchdown. … Westminster Christian – 213 yards of total offense. Musch finished 16-of-32 for 118 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed for 83 yards. Lockette caught six passes for 36 yards and one touchdown.

By the numbers: 5, Madison Academy converted 5-of-7 fourth downs to keep drives going. … 13, Madison Academy ran 73 plays to only 60 for Westminster, a difference of 13 plays.

What’s next?: Madison Academy hosts Phil Campbell in the first round of the playoffs as the top seed from 3A, Region 7. Westminster travels to West Morgan in the 4A playoffs as No. 3 seed from Region 8.