The calendar shows late August, but fifth-ranked Class 3A Mars Hill’s players still had last November on their minds following a resounding 34-7 rout of 4A No. 5 Madison Academy at Bill Washington Stadium in Madison – the Mustangs’ worst regular-season loss in five years.

Junior Jaxon Penn ran for four touchdowns and the Panthers’ stern defense blanked the Mustangs in the second half as Mars Hill avenged last season’s 21-14 3A playoff loss in what was the first meeting ever between North Alabama’s most prolific private school programs.