Madison Academy, coming off a 60-7 region win over Colbert Heights, will visit Lauderdale Country. (CONTRIBUTED)

By Mike Easterling

For the Record

HUNTSVILLE – Now comes the Big Game.

So far this season, Madison Academy defeated Leeds in a marquee high school football opener before losing to Tennessee power Ensworth the following week. Both were headline-grabbing games, but neither counted towards the Mustangs’ quest for a fourth straight region championship and sixth in seven years.

That changes Friday night when three-time defending Class 3A champion Madison Academy, coming off a 60-7 region win over Colbert Heights, visits Lauderdale Country in a de facto Region 8 championship clash.

“We’ve got to be hitting on all cylinders,” Mustangs coach Eric Cohu said.

Madison Academy (5-1 overall, 4-0 in the region) comes in ranked No. 1. The Tigers (5-, 4-0) entered last weekend at No. 9 before routing Sheffield 52-14.

Madison Academy got a boost against Colbert Heights (3-4, 1-3) with the return of running back/linebacker and Auburn pledge Malik Miller. He missed two games with a hip injury.

Miller had 41 yards on four rushes and caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from efficient quarterback Grayson Edgemon on the team’s second possession as the Mustangs built a 27-0 first-quarter lead.

Grayson was 5-of-6 passing with four touchdown for 151 yards, all in the first half as the Mustangs built a 48-0 advantage. Jaelin Ferdinand caught two and Cole Tomlison one of Grayon’s scoring strikes.

“I felt our offense jumped right out to start the game more than it has,” Cohu said, “and our defense was outstanding.”