Junior Gus Fox adds running back to his duties this season.
Caldwell County missed its opportunity to build up a lead early in the game.
Madisonville-North Hopkins did not miss many opportunities to put the game away in the second half.
The Tigers led 7-0 just 18 seconds into the game, but the Maroons got to halftime with a 13-7 advantage, then outscored Caldwell 33-0 in the second half to pull away for a 46-7 triumph.
The Tigers were left to ponder what could have been after the game got off to a great start for the blue and gold.
A Luke Maddox fumble recovery on the opening kickoff led to a 3-yard scoring run by Demaurius Thompson, staking Caldwell to quick 7-0 lead.
The Tigers (0-2) threatened two more times in the first quarter, but could not add to their margin. One series ended with an interception in the end zone. Another resulted in a missed field goal.
Madisonville (1-1) turned the momentum in the second quarter with a pair of short touchdown runs.
The second half was all Maroons, with Madisonville reaching the 36-point mercy rule for a running clock in the fourth quarter.
Madisonville used a balanced attack to put up 449 yards of offense. Caldwell was held to just 95 total yards — just seven of those in the second half.
A key stat in the game was third and fourth-down conversions. Madisonville was 7 of 14 on third down and 4 of 5 on fourth down. Caldwell, meanwhile, was just 2 for 13 on third down and failed on both of its fourth down tries.
Anias Mitchell passed for 232 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for another 41 yards.
Tremaine Lovan caught two second-half touchdown passes and finished the night with six receptions for 148 yards.
Markeez Hightower ran for 70 yards and a score. Ricky Lane Bowles had two touchdown runs. Jacob Miller ran for 66 yards and a TD.
The Maroons’ win ties the all-time series 15-15.
Caldwell will play its first home game next week when it hosts Hopkinsville.
Madisonville goes to Crittenden County next week.
