HUNTSVILLE — Madison Academy running back Ken Cherry had the ball in his hands and he cut left.

The senior standout was looking for space to do what he is known for, running by people like a cigarette boat.

But this time Cherry was met with some resistance behind the line of scrimmage.

The Mustangs were facing Westminster Christian Academy on the road to close out the regular season and were keen to keep that perfect record intact.

It was a cold Friday night in early November and Madison Academy (10-0) was already leading Westminster (8-2) by a score of 21-7 with 2:23 remaining in the first half when Cherry carried the pigskin to his left.

The Wildcat defenders saw it coming and they swarmed the Mustang running back.

First there was one player who attempted to smash into Cherry and send him crashing to the cold grass.

Cherry kept his legs churning as two more Wildcats converged on him like a pack of wolves trying to take down an elk in the wild.

The Madison Academy running back was supposed to lose four yards, but Ken Cherry had other plans.

The senior muscled his way out of the huddle of humanity with sheer brute force and he darted down the field with more Westminster defenders pursuing him with a mixture of desperation and disbelief.

Cherry had gained 13 yards on this remarkable run before he was taken down.

The play had ended with Cherry sending a defensive back flying with a teeth-rattling hit.

All the Madison Academy fans could do was look out at the field stunned by Cherry’s latest moment of greatness.

It has been a season full of domination for the 10-0 Mustangs and Ken Cherry has been a huge part of that with his powerful running and breakaway speed.

The eventual 47-7 victory for Madison Academy against Westminster means the Mustangs remain perfect as they enter the playoffs with a home game next Friday against Hokes Bluff.

For a complete breakdown of Madison Academy’s win over Westminster, be sure to pick up a print copy of the Madison Record on Wednesday, Nov. 8.