Ken Cherry ran for an 11-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left as Madison Academy rallied to beat Geraldine 48-43 in the Class 3A North semifinal on Friday.

The senior had five touchdown runs for the unbeaten second-ranked Mustangs (14-0). He scored from 3, 2 and 3 yards in the second quarter and from 37 and 11 in the fourth.

It was the Mustangs’ second straight win in the final minute after Cherry scored with 19 seconds left in last week’s 35-28 decision over Sylvania in the quarterfinals.

Madison Academy led 22-21 at halftime at Coolidge-Isbell Field in Geraldine. Josh Williams scored on a 1-yard run in the third quarter and a 10-yard run in the fourth.

Jaxon Colvin ran for two touchdowns for No. 8 Geraldine (12-2), a 28-yarder in the first quarter and from the 3 just before halftime. He threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Owen Walling in the fourth quarter. Carlos Mann had two touchdown runs for the Bulldogs, a 73-yarder in the second quarter and from the 1 in the fourth. Jordon Lankford ran for a 14-yard touchdown in the third.

Geraldine led 43-36 with 5:16 left after Walling’s touchdown catch and Mann’s 2-point conversion run. Madison Academy closed within 43-42 on Williams’ second touchdown at 2:44, but missed on a 2-point conversion run. The Mustangs drove for the winning score with under 2 minutes remaining.

“We just kept playing,” Madison Academy coach Bob Godsey said. “I told them we’re not gonna get a beauty award. This game wasn’t about a beauty award. It was about a toughness award. Just about being tough. Hats off to Geraldine. Outstanding game, they played extremely hard.”

Play of the game: After taking over on downs at the Madison Academy 46 with 1:39 left, the Mustangs marched 54 yards in eight plays. Cherry ran up the middle for the winning score. “It was a handoff up the middle,” Cherry said. “I saw my line open up the holes and I just hit it. I went up the middle and then I spun off somebody.”

Stat sheet: Madison Academy – Cherry had 22 carries for 188 yards and five touchdowns. Williams had 15 carries for 96 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson Reece caught 12 passes for 175 yards. Jake Poldiak completed 17-of-26 passes for 240 yards with one interception. Junior linebacker AJ Rice, a Mississippi State commitment, made 18 tackles. Senior cornerback Selano Thomas had a key pass breakup in the fourth quarter. Geraldine – Mann had 27 carries for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Colvin had 14 carries for 103 yards and two touchdowns and threw a TD pass.

By the numbers: 508 – Madison Academy’s total yards with 268 rushing and 240 passing. 371 – Geraldine total yards with 300 rushing. 3 – Madison Academy wins in three games against the Bulldogs all-time.

Game ball: Cherry, running back/linebacker, again led the unbeaten Mustangs to a comeback win.

Coachspeak: “We’re just happy. We’ve worked hard. We have an opportunity. We’ll go next week and see how we do. I know one thing: We will play hard.” – Godsey

“We got a bunch of winners in purple, we sure do. These guys came out here and fought really hard. I couldn’t be anymore proud of the group.” – Geraldine coach Michael Davis

They said it: “Once again, it came down to the wire again. You got to be tough. That’s all it takes.” – Rice.

“I just played through the game. My linemen, they opened holes for me. They blocked. They do everything to get me to do what I need to do.” – Cherry.

“Just trusting the linemen to open up the holes. And just keep on playing. Just keep grinding.” –

Williams.

“The defense got us the ball back with time on the clock. And I knew I had to find 10 (Reece) somewhere. We made it all this way we might as well win (the 3A title).” – Poldiak.

“We had our school support system here. And as a team we are tough enough to win these comeback games. And I have to give credit to Jake Poldiak and the offensive line for giving me time.” – Reece.

Next week: Madison Academy will play unbeaten top-ranked Mobile Christian (14-0) in the 3A final Dec. 7 at 11 a.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.