It was once one of the most-fierce football rivalries in western Kentucky. With the consolidation of Hopkinsville High School with Christian County High School next fall, Friday night’s Hoptown-Madisonville-North Hopkins football game was the last.
It was the Maroons who came out victorious as star running back Markezz Hightower rushed for 231 yards and four touchdowns on 17 carries and led Madisonville to a 42-19 victory.
Hightower’s longest score of the night came on a 77-yard run.
Madisonville led 14-0 after one quarter and 28-6 at halftime.
The Tigers (1-1) went to the air in the second half with Jasiah McCarley throwing for 189 yards and three touchdowns. Aiden Jesse had two scoring receptions including one of 63 yards. James Bradley Jr., caught an 80-yard scoring pass. Jesse finished the night with five receptions for 95 yards.
Meanwhile, Bradley Jr., rushed 17 times for 63 yards on the night.
Ryder Sandidge added a rushing touchdown and Jayden Travis had a touchdown reception from Alex Richards for the Maroons (2-0).
Madisonville finished the night with 368 yards of offense compared to 259 for the Tigers.
The teams first started playing football against each other in 1917 and from 1921-1957 would meet on Thanksgiving Day. The all-time series will end in the favor of Hoptown, 70-46-4.
The Tigers are back in action Sept. 6 at home against Prosser Academy of Chicago.
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