Madison County fights back to knock off Jackson County

JEFFERSON -- Madison County scooped up a fumble and returned it 48 yards for a touchdown to help deny Jackson County in a 27-21 win for the Red Raiders on Friday in Jefferson.<br /> <br /> The turnover came with 1:32 left to play and capped a comeback that saw Madison County overcome a 21-7 halftime deficit.<br /> <br /> The Panthers (0-1) started strong -- in a strange way -- tying the score at 7-7 after Jorge Monzon scooped up a long punt return from teammate Antonio Strickland that Strickland fumbled.<br /> <br /> Jackson County quarterback Jacob Lewis made it 14-7 with a six yard scoring run in the second quarter before Malik Tuck scored from a yard with 54 seconds left in the half for a 21-7 advantage.<br /> <br /> Lewis rushed nine times for 49 yards and completed 15 of 44 passes for 174 yards, along with 2 interceptions. Tuck rushed 15 times for 60 yards.<br /> <br /> Strickland also had a busy night, picking off two passes, blocking a field goal attempt and catching 10 passes for 110 yards.<br /> <br /> It wasn't enough to derail Madison County's comeback, however.<br /> <br /> Jackson County will look to bounce back next week against White County.