
Photo by Jeff Boyd Melrose’s defense was stout and the offense got off to a quick start Friday night in Savannah in the second round of the Class 5A state playoffs. The result was a 26-0 Golden Wildcat win that ended Hardin County’s season at 9-3. Melrose (8-4) plays Mitchell in the quarterfinals Friday night. Eric Watson scored three touchdowns, one on a 60-yard pass from William Gross and two others on a one-yard run and a 60-yard run. Melrose led 20-0 at the half. Mason Tidwell led Hardin County with 85 yards on 15 carries.
Nate Rucker gave his verbal pledge to Northern Illinois coach Ricardo Patton and became the Huskies first commitment for the class of 2010. Rucker, who plays high school basketball for Melrose High School, chose the Huskies over offers from East Tennessee State, Tennessee State, and Tennessee-Martin. Nate took his official visit to the NIU campus in DeKalb last month. “I felt it was the best fit for me of the colleges that were recruiting me,â€?? Rucker said. “The coaches were great.â€?? One deciding factor for Rucker was the NIU campus. “I liked the facilities,â€?? Rucker said. “It was the best facilities that I’ve ever seen.â€?? Rucker’s family has had a relationship with Patton going back to when Nate’s sister, Candace Rucker, played on the women’s…
Photo by Jeff Ireland Melrose running back Eric Watson had a big night Friday at home as the Golden Wildcats dispatched Bartlett 39-8 in the first round of the Class 5A state playoffs. Bartlett (4-7) led 8-7 early in the second quarter, but after that it was all Melrose (7-4) and Watson, who had 211 yards rushing and receiving. Watson scored on runs of seven and 25 yards and Will Gross threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Jamion Young as Melrose took control of the game. Tino Thomas intercepted a pass and returned it 75 yards for a Melrose score late in the third quarter to make the score 27-8. Willie Matthews had 93 yards rushing for Bartlett. Melrose plays Hardin County in round two. .