Florida High wins in Madison County for first time in program history | Big Bend Football week 5 scores

For the first time in program history, Florida High left Madison County with a victory.

The Seminoles (3-1) beat the Cowboys (2-1) 35-23 Friday, winning a third straight game since a week 2 loss to Ponte Vedra.

Florida High coach Jarrod Hickman said some really good Seminole teams have left Madison empty-handed and Friday's win was special.

“It's the first time we've won here. We've had so many great teams that have been here and played some good games and I've had some battles with coach [Mike] Coe and now coach [Price] Harris," Hickman said. "These are two really good football teams to play and everybody knows in this state how tough of a place this is to play."

It has been anything but an ordinary start to the season for the Seminoles.

A week one game postponement due to COVID in the Trinity Catholic program, Hurricane Idalia forcing changes to the schedule and three straight road games have tested the program.

Despite the tumultuous start, Hickman feels his team is growing into the season and the win over Madison County gives his team a momentum boost.

“We've had a lot going on at our place, just having to juggle some hoops and go through some things," Hickman said. "I'm so proud of our football team for the way they responded this entire week. It's amazing even though we've got a veteran team, in certain areas and spots you still gotta grow up and I thought we grew up tonight and really took a good step forward.”

Staying the Course

With week one becoming an impromptu bye week for the Seminoles because of the Trinity Catholic postponement, the Seminoles program knew it had 10 straight weeks of football ahead.

Senior defensive back and wide receiver Ashton Hampton, who had two touchdowns and a crucial third down stop against Madison, feels the team is focused on taking things one week at a time.

"We take it a little bit at a time, we aren't trying to look ahead," Hampton said. "Maybe in the past, we would have looked ahead, but now let's go one week at a time and go 1-0 every week."

For a program like Florida High, most of the players on the team come through the ranks of the program together, allowing the players to bond throughout the years. That bond is something that both Hampton and senior Keisean Inman, feel helps the team stay focused and push each other, especially this season.

"I feel like the whole team is forming together finally as a whole," Inman said. "So we all play together and we finally made this all happen."

"We all are playing together and playing for each other," Hampton added.

The veteran leadership of the coaching staff and the players is something that Hickman, Hampton and Inman all agree help Florida High in tough games. Hickman knows his seniors are able to push his team forward in key moments.

"I just think it's a commitment to trying to do things the right way, so when you play these games, in the critical moments, you're able to make those plays," Hickman said. "I thought our seniors again took another step forward, and our underclassmen did the same. I'm just proud of the way that we've been working the last couple of weeks to take steps to get where we want to be."

Making a difference on special teams

One of the things that makes Florida High dynamic is the ability for anyone to step up and make a play.

Against Madison, Inman had one of the biggest plays of the game, returning a kickoff for a touchdown in the fourth quarter following a Madison County score. Inman's 80-yard return for a score marked the third straight week the senior has returned a kickoff for a touchdown. And his ability to make plays on special teams is something Hickman says changes the game.

"Our guys have taken a lot of pride in that, they understand how important special teams are, it's a third of the game," Hickman said. "Keisean has been a good player for us for a while, and people are just getting the chance to see that a little bit more now in different ways."

Inman's big play ability isn't limited to special teams, as the wide receiver has hauled in three touchdowns and over 125 yards this season. Despite his ability to make something out of nothing, the senior only focuses on helping his team make the next play easier.

"It's very important," Inman said about the team's ability to make plays. "We always focus on the next play every time, just gotta go out there, make it happen, and go to the next play."

The kickoff returns of Inman and the ability of the Seminoles roster to get a big play from anyone is something that Hampton feels gets the entire team motivated, and it gets him excited.

"Seeing my teammates score, I'm out there sprinting just like he is," Hampton said about the energy the big plays bring. "I'm getting turnt on the sideline, you'll see them on film, I'm throwing my hand up and I'm down there ready to celebrate. I'm proud of my guys."

Florida High travels to Trinity Catholic next week, with Madison County traveling to Jefferson County.

Scores from the Big Bend

Thursday: Wakulla 45, Mosley 21

The War Eagles stay perfect after falling behind early against Mosley. Wakulla started the game down 14-0, then outscored the Dolphins 45-7 in the remainder of the game.

Wakulla plays Rickards next week.

Thursday: Lincoln 42-0 Munroe

The Trojans picked up a shut-out against the Bobcats. Jashawn Washington scored three touchdowns for the Trojans.

Lincoln travels to Colquitt County next week, and Munroe has a bye week.

Thursday: Blounstown 16, Taylor County 6

The Bulldogs couldn't get the win against Blountstown on Thursday.

Taylor County plays Suwannee next week.

Thomas County Central 55, Godby 19

The Cougars fall in Georgia.

Godby hosts Marianna next week at home.

Maclay 48, FAMU DRS 12

Maclay picks up its second win of the season with a win over FAMU DRS.

Maclay host NFC next week, while FAMU DRS have a bye week.

Dixie County 42, Jefferson County 14

Jefferson County falls to Dixie.

The Tigers host Madison County next week.

North Florida Christian 35, Valwood 21

NFC is starting to find a rhythm, winning a third straight game.

The Eagles play Maclay next week.

Aucilla Christian 33-0 Graceville

The Warriors remain undefeated with a win over Graceville. Josh Agner ran for 109 yards and two touchdowns and Landon LaRosa threw for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

The Warriors look to stay perfect next week, hosting Franklin County.

Leon 30, St. John Paul II 26

The Lions stay perfect, beating the Panthers in a game that came down to the wire to move to 5-0.

Both teams have a bye week next week.

Chiles 24, Rickards 0

The Timberwolves get a second shutout victory of the season, as the Raiders can't find the endzone against a tough Chiles defense. Rickards junior running back Kemarrion Battles ran for 52 yards and hauled in 39 receiving yards.

Chiles travels to Mosley next week, while Rickards hosts Wakulla

Tift County 17, Gadsden County 0

The Jaguars drop back-to-back games, getting shut out by Tift County.

Gadsden County has a bye week next week.

Liam Rooney covers preps sports for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida High beat Madison County, Tallahassee area high school football scores