MADISON Despite starting the game on a 14-0 run, the Janesville Craig football squad fell 44-27 Thursday night in a road matchup with the Madison Memorial Spartans.
Even with amazing performances from the likes of Malachi Schoonover and KeyonDre Thornton, Madison Memorial was able to overpower the Cougars with their multi-faceted rushing attack en route to the Big Eight Conference victory.
It was a rollercoaster of emotions for the Cougars to open the night. Trent Jacobson returned the opening kickoff 93 yards to the house for Craig, but an inadvertent whistle by the officiating crew wiped the touchdown from the scoreboard.
The Cougars would have to wait until later in the quarter to open the scoring, as Jayvon Davis connected with Malachi Schoonover for an 18-yard pass and catch to give Craig a 7-0 advantage following the James Nouansacksy extra point.
After a three-and-out by the Spartans thanks to a massive sack by Oliver Clark, the Cougars came out on offense and made a quick statement. On the first play of their drive, Davis found KeyonDre Thornton on a deep ball for what ended up being a 68-yard touchdown strike.
Before the first quarter was even over, the Cougars were ahead 14-0.
From this point forward, however, it was the Sam Aparicio show.
The senior wide receiver came in for the Spartans as a wildcat quarterback and never looked back. He put up a pair of rushing TDs in the second quarter to cut Craigs lead down to just 14-12 at the halftime break.
But Aparicio wasnt done there. He tacked on three more rushing touchdowns in the third quarter, tearing off pieces of the Cougar defense each and every carry. Before Craig could blink, Memorial was ahead 31-21.
The Cougars tried to mount a comeback on the backs of Malachi Schoonover and KeyonDre Thornton, as the receiving duo ended up combining for 427 yards and 4 TDs through the air, but late interceptions by Jayvon Davis proved fatal for Craig.
A pick-six by Madison Memorials Carson Feinstein proved to be the dagger as the Spartans walked away with a 44-27 victory on their home turf.
Davis ended his night 25 for 35 passing for 430 yards and four passing touchdowns. However, four interceptions bit the junior QB in the end.
Schoonover was a monster for Craig, logging 10 catches for 233 yards and three touchdowns. Thornton added nine catches for 194 yards and a score of his own.
Craigs rushing attack was a different story, though, as the Cougars ended up going for negative 33 yards on the ground. Just a little bit different from Madison Memorials 329 team rushing yards.
Memorials wildcat QB Aparicio finished his night with 185 rushing yards and five TDs. He also threw for 125 yards on a 7 for 9 clip.
The Cougars return home next Friday, September 18, as Craig will welcome the Middleton Cardinals to Monterey Stadium. Kickoff between the Cougars and the Cardinals is slated for 7:00 p.m.