From STAFF REPORTS
MADISON — The Boaz Pirates capped off their 2026 season on Thursday night with a 46-42 shootout win over the Madison Academy Mustangs. After trailing by more than 11 points in the third quarter, the Pirates used an explosive 29-point fourth quarter to storm back and end the regular season with a 8-2 overall record.
The Mustangs would begin the night scoring the first seven points thanks to a 3-yard run by Jordyn McClain.
Before the first quarter would wrap up, the Pirates would claim an offensive and defensive score to take a 14-7 lead into the second quarter. The first score came through the air as quarterback Beau Bennett would find receiver Sage Bennett for a 7-yard score. On defense, Mac Thompson would come up big with a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown to put Boaz ahead 14-7.
To start the second quarter, Madison Academy would answer right back with two touchdowns. The first came from a 6-yard run by Charleston Owens. The Mustangs would take the lead back with a 28-yard pass by Owens to Tahj Phillips to take a 21-14 lead.
After Boaz would cut the lead back to 21-17 thanks to a 33-yard field goal by Andrew Pena, the Mustangs would again score to make it an 11-point lead with Owens running in a 10-yard rush to make it 28-17 to enter the fourth quarter.
Boaz’s wild fourth quarter would start off with running back Dayton Porter finding the end zone on a 2-yard run. The Mustangs would quickly answer back with a 83-yard pass by Owens to Chase Hurt to make it a 35-25 lead.
With four minutes to go, Boaz would cut the Mustang lead to three as Porter would rush in a 12-yard score. The Pirates would claim back the lead with a 74-yard pass from Bennett to Cooper Whorton to make it a 39-35 score.
With 3:06 remaining, the Mustangs would regain the lead thanks to a long 93-yard kickoff return to lead 42-39.
On Boaz’s final drive, they would come up big as a last minute touchdown run by Beau Bennett would seal the 46-42 win for the Pirates as they enter postseason play.
Leading the Pirates to victory was Beau Bennett who finished with 360 passing yards which is second best in school history behind his 379 passing yard performance earlier this year against Lee-Huntsville. Beau also finished with a rushing touchdown and two passing touchdowns. Porter would rush 14 times for 49 yards and two touchdowns. Sage Bennett would produce seven receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown. Whorton would lead the team in receiving yards with 115 and a touchdown.
Boaz’s postseason run will begin next Friday as they host Gardendale in the Class 5A playoffs.
Boaz quarterback Beau Bennett would finish with 360 passing yards and three total touchdowns in the 46-42 victory over Madison Academy. DRUW GIAMALVA l The Leader
