Ken Cherry scored on a 4-yard reverse with 19 seconds left as unbeaten Madison Academy came from behind to beat Sylvania 35-28 on Friday in the Class 3A quarterfinals.

The second-ranked Mustangs led 21-14 at halftime but trailed 28-21 after three quarters at Madison Academy’s Bill Washington Stadium.

Cherry, a senior running back/linebacker, had three touchdown runs for Madison Academy (13-0). He scored on 46-yard burst up the middle on the game’s opening series and on a 9-yard run in the second quarter. He ran for two points after his decisive TD in the closing seconds.

Josh Williams ran for two touchdowns for the Mustangs, a 16-yarder in the first quarter and a 10-yarder on the first play of the fourth. The Mustangs missed the extra point after his second touchdown and trailed 28-27 until the final seconds.

Aiden Parham had four touchdown runs for ninth-ranked Sylvania (10-3). He scored from 5, 44, 2 and 8 yards for the Rams.

“We just kept playing,” Madison Academy coach Bob Godsey said. “I think our guys believed the whole time. When you get in a situation like that, you just got to play one play at a time. I am just so proud of these guys.”

Madison Academy avenged last year’s 48-45 overtime loss to Sylvania at home in the second round.

Play of the game: With less than two minutes left, Madison Academy faced fourth-and-16 from the Sylvania 31. Jackson Reece caught a 21-yard pass from Jake Poldiak for a first down at the Sylvania 10. Cherry scored the game-winning touchdown four plays later to cap the Mustangs’ drive, which covered 92 yards in 12 plays.

“It was fourth-and-16, I knew the ball was coming my way,” Reece, a senior, said. “This team beat us last year. This was my last home game ever. I knew no matter what, I had to give every drop of effort I had to come down with the ball. And my quarterback put the ball in the perfect place for me.”

“We had a post called and I knew I had to drill it in his chest,” Poldiak, a senior, said. “I dropped back, saw my receiver get a step and he made an excellent catch.”

Stat sheet: Madison Academy – Cherry had 14 carries for 165 yards and three touchdowns. Williams had eight carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Reece had five catches for 64 yards. Mark Drake had three catches for 46 yards. Poldiak completed 11-of-14 passes for 136 yards. Junior linebacker AJ Rice, a Mississippi State commit, made 15 tackles. Sylvania – Parham had 52 carries for 324 yards and four touchdowns.

By the numbers: 379 – Madison Academy total yards with 243 rushing and 136 passing. 360 – Sylvania total yards with 352 rushing and 8 passing. 1 – Sylvania turnover on an intercepted pass, and one punt apiece for each team. 3 – Madison Academy wins in four games against the Rams all-time.

Game ball: Cherry is deserving because of his explosive running all night.

Coachspeak: “We’re ecstatic (to make the semifinals). We were there two years ago. We’re just ecstatic to be moving on.” – Godsey.

“I thought we fought, played hard. Kenyon (Cherry) did a great job for them. We couldn’t tackle him. The penalty (against Sylvania on Madison Academy’s final drive), it’s part of the game. Other than that, we had a chance to make the plays at the end, we didn’t. Madison Academy made the plays. Hats off to them.” – Sylvania coach Tyler Vann.

They said it: “We just got to keep repeating and focus on the next play and be tough. Just got to be tough. Just do your job and be tough.” – Rice.

“We had a lot of mental mistakes, but we quickly picked that up because we knew what was on the line.” – Cherry.

“It’s amazing. I just give all the credit to the O-line for opening the holes.” – Williams.

“It was a crazy game. We came out last drive. We believed in each other. We needed the defense to come up clutch and they did.” – Poldiak.

Next week: Madison Academy will travel to eighth-ranked Geraldine (12-1) in the 3A semifinals. The Mustangs are 2-0 against the Bulldogs all-time.