Sanders’ four TDs push Horn Lake past Madison Central for first playoff win since 2018

Photo: Horn Lake coach Dustin Hectorne speaks to his team after Friday’s playoff win over Madison Central. (Bob Bakken/desotocountynews.com)

HORN LAKE, Miss. — Linebacker and “Wildcat” quarterback Linkin Sanders scored four touchdowns Friday night, powering the Horn Lake Eagles to a 35-28 victory over Madison Central in the first round of the MHSAA 7A playoffs.

The victory breaks a significant drought for the Eagles, marking their first playoff win since their undefeated state championship season in 2018.

According to Horn Lake coach Dustin Hectorne, the win also snaps a five-year streak where no DeSoto County team had advanced past the first round.

“It’s incredible,” Hectorne said. “These kids work their tails off… for us, it just means another week together. And that’s what it’s all about. We love these guys… excited to have another week.”

Sanders was the decisive factor on both sides of the ball. When the Eagles needed key yardage, he entered the “Wildcat” offense, finishing with touchdown runs of one, one, five, and 19 yards. He also recovered a fumble on defense that set up Horn Lake’s first score.

“He’s a dude,” Hectorne said of Sanders. “He does everything that we need, just his energy, his excitement, the confidence that he gives everybody else.”

Horn Lake built a 21-7 lead late in the third quarter, highlighted by a 78-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jason Edwards Jr. to Lance McGowan.

Madison Central rallied to tie the game 21-21 in the fourth quarter. The comeback started after a high punt snap gave the Jaguars the ball at the Horn Lake 8-yard line, setting up a touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Tripp Smith to Tylan Hutchins. Ryan Sandberg then intercepted an Edwards pass and returned it 10 yards for a score, with a successful two-point conversion tying the game with 6:34 remaining.

Sanders responded, scoring two more touchdowns to give Horn Lake a 35-21 lead. Madison Central scored again on a Smith pass with 50 seconds left, but the Eagles recovered the ensuing onside kick to run out the clock.

“When you get in these playoff games and you play a great team like Madison Central, they’re not going to quit,” Hectorne said. “Little mistakes almost cost us tonight. But… our guys just continue to fight.”

Horn Lake will travel to Oxford next Friday for the second round. The Chargers defeated Hernando 42-6.

SCOREBOARD

Friday, Nov. 14

Prep football

MHSAA 7A playoffs – first round

• Germantown (Madison) 70, DeSoto Central 42
• Oxford 42, Hernando 6
• Horn Lake 35, Madison Central 28

MHSAA 6A playoffs – first round

• Lake Cormorant 26, Callaway 7
• Warren Central 42, Center Hill 14

MAIS 4A Division II – semifinals

• Magnolia Heights 22, Heritage Academy 18

JUCO women’s basketball 

• Trinity Valley, Texas 69, Northwest 55

Prep boys soccer

• Hernando 4, New Hope (Columbus) 1

Prep girls soccer

• Hernando 2, New Hope (Columbus) 0

AS SEEN ON X/TWITTER

We love award season!! ❤️🐊🫶

Congrats Payton, Sofia, MaKayla, and Mily for being selected to the 6A All-State Team chosen by the MS Coaches!

We are so proud!! pic.twitter.com/O6lkXQuvez

— Lake Cormorant High Volleyball (@LCHSladygatorvb) November 14, 2025

The 7A all-state team includes Genesis Weeks of DeSoto Central and three players from Lewisburg: Mary Olivia Barnes, Addison Cole, and Laney Wier.

NOTABLES: DeSoto Central quarterback Eric Perry scored three first half touchdowns and Cade Rogers scored from 50 yards out in the first half for a 28-14 lead before Germantown (Madison) rallied to tie the game at halftime and exploded for a huge 7A playoff win…Tylen Matthews scored four touchdowns in Lake Cormorant’s playoff victory over Callaway, including one of 70 yards in the third quarter. Lake Cormorant travels to Warren Central for its second-round contest on Friday, Nov. 21. Calvin Harrison scored two goals and added a pair of assists for Hernando in the Tigers boys’ soccer win over New Hope…

Images here are credit to Mary Scott (Horn Lake) and Drew Scott (Lake Cormorant), Oak River Media.