MADISON- The Madison Academy Mustangs are on a high horse by posting three consecutive victories after a season opening loss to Tennessee stronghold Briarcrest Christian. With a new head coach Bob Godsey on hand with his way of doing things and some team tangibles that make for a very interesting 2019 season, the Class 5A ranked squad is happy right where they are with a new coach.

“He holds us to a higher standard than what we were used to and it’s been good for the entire team,” said Josh Malone (6-2, 176), senior running back and cornerback for the Mustangs. “He (Godsey) is so intense during practice and games. Everything we do now is full of urgency.”

Godsey took over the head coach position earlier this spring after the departure of three-year coach Grant Reynolds. With an extraordinary coaching resume of being a head coach for 21 years, including the last 16 seasons as head coach of the Hartselle Tigers, Godsey came to the private school with high expectations of being a winner. So far in the current campaign- he hasn’t disappointed.

“We have put into a place a theory of liking to building a house as we’ve put in a good foundation that will last for years to come, then we’ll have the strength that hopefully will work,” said Godsey. “Best part has been these student-athletes who make up this team as they have been super respective to everything we’ve done. It’s learning what clicks, what works. We’ve had a lot of trial and error since the spring, but it’s gotten better through the process.”

The success looks to be on par for the Mustangs after a season-opening 44-7 loss to Briarcrest Christian. The maroon and gold has run off three consecutive victories over Lawrence County (17-7), East Limestone (42-20) and Brewer (44-16). In those three straight wins Madison Academy has outscored their opposition 103-43 and two of the victories were against Region 8 foes giving them an early season 2-0 eight-team region mark.

Senior wide receiver Slate Rucker (6-1, 160) feels the team’s offense is filled with weapons, which can score. He added the senior class has rallied around their new coach. “He has pushed us a lot harder than we were used to. We’ve come together as a team. Coach Godsey is very demanding. He means business. Requires lots of discipline.”

In 2018, Madison Academy finished as Region 8 champions with a perfect 7-0 record and advanced to the playoffs ranked No. 3 in Class 5A only to fall in the second round. For the returning seniors this season, the bitter loss of a season ago still haunts them, but with Godsey now at the helm of the program and his amazing experience with winning teams, the program is continuing right where it left off.

“This is obviously a program that’s not broken. It’s about being on the same page more than anything so that we can have the highest rate of success,” added Godsey.

Although the Mustangs are on the road for four of its last six games, it looks as the squad can easily earn another Region 8 title and perfect mark with lots of momentum heading into the playoffs the second week in November.

“All of our players are giving their all every play,” said Malone. “Win, lose or draw, nobody’s going to back down. Nobody’s going to surrender and give up.”