RICHMOND — South Laurel’s first playoff game since 2018 didn’t end the way the Cardinals wanted.
John Hines’ squad dug a 28-7 deficit in the first half that turned out to be too much as South Laurel dropped a 42-28 decision to Madison Southern, leaving the Cardinals still searching for their first playoff win since 2005.
Despite the loss, Hines led South Laurel to a winning season at 6-4, and the No. 3 seed in a rough and tough district.
The Cardinals made a run at the Eagles, but fell in the end.
Madison Southern took an early 7-0 lead just 56 seconds into the game before Zach Thomas tied the game at seven apiece at the 8:54 mark.
Madison Southern preceded with a touchdowns at the 6:28 mark of the first quarter to take a 14-7 lead while adding another touchdown with 9:14 remaining to make the score 21-7.
The Eagles scored again in less than a minute to push their lead to 28-7 before South Laurel began to rally.
Mason Griffin’s touchdown pass to Wes Dowell cut the Cardinals’ deficit to 28-14 with 1:41 remaining in the first half.
South Laurel recovered its ensuing onside kick and scored again thanks to a touchdown pass from Griffin to Garrison Brown to cut its deficit to 28-21 at halftime.
The game remained close until the 2:52 mark of the third quarter when Madison Southern scored to take a 35-21 lead.
The Eagles followed with a pick six a minute later that gave them a commanding 42-21 advantage.
Griffin managed to his Thomas for a touchdown strike with 7:27 remaining in the game, making the score 42-28, but South Laurel couldn’t get any closer.
