Hanover blanks Madison, 36-0
Scott Hayes
Monday, November 5, 2007
HANOVER — While preparing for his team’s regional playoff matchup against Hanover, Madison football coach Fred McClain said he saw the Wildcats as a team with a lot of athleticism and good team speed.
And that’s exactly what Madison got Saturday, as the Bulldogs’ season came to a close with a 36-0 loss to Hanover.
“We knew they were real good coming in,” McClain said. “Although they’re probably a little better now than I thought they were coming in. I thought we could match up with them a little bit, be able to move the ball. I didn’t think it was going to be a real easy game, but they pretty much took us out of our game.”
Hanover dominated nearly every facet of the game, piling up 383 yards of total offense while allowing Madison to gain only 128 yards of offense.
The Bulldogs’ offensive line, and the offense in general, were on their heels all day, McClain said.
“They (Hanover) had two defensive ends coming off the edge that we just couldn’t handle today,” McClain said. “They were pinching down and pinching our offense off, and then we went to play-action pass and they were rushing Eric (Porter), and they sacked him pretty hard a couple times. It was just no rhythm and a good butt-kickin’ we got.
“Too much speed at the linebackers, D-ends,” McClain added. “They have the big guy (Jeff Tegtmeier) at the nose. He’s not the fastest guy, but he’s 275 pounds so you have a tough time moving him. And then you have to chase those other guys who can run real well and they hit real well.”
Madison was forced to punt on its first possession, and Hanover drove 50 yards in four plays, with Ethan Zabokrtsky scoring on a 10-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion attempt failed — Hanover was 0-for-6 on two-point attempts — and Madison trailed, 6-0.
Hanover added a Rick Bruna 23-yard touchdown run and an Ethan Tegtmeier 31-yard touchdown catch to lead 18-0 at halftime.
The Wildcats then started the second half with a 12-play, 65-yard drive, eating nearly 4 1/2 minutes off the clock, capped by a Preston Schotte 3-yard touchdown run.
Hanover’s defense added to the scoring on the next possession when Ethan Tegtmeier intercepted Porter at the Madison 14-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. Already ahead 30-0, Braden Hynek put the game away with a 15-yard touchdown run with 4:32 remaining.
Despite the season-ending loss, McClain said he was proud of the Bulldogs.
“I really think they (the team) had a great year,” McClain said, “and I’m really proud of them.”
“They (the seniors) worked awful hard for four years in the weight room, preparing for this. And to win nine games their senior year — when it’s all said and done they’ll be very proud of that.”
Hanover 36, Madison 0
Saturday at Hanover
Madison 0 0 0 0 — 0
Hanover 6 12 12 6 — 36
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — Madison: Michael Luthi 12-50, Henry Ott 3-25, Ben Dains 1-8, Caleb Hamilton 4-5, Jeff Smith 1-3, Eric Porter 5-(-3). Hanover: Rick Bruna 20-101, Preston Schotte 9-48, Braden Hynek 3-31, Ethan Zabokrtsky 2-18, Jerod Deidrich 1-12, Derrick Gerard 2-6, Trevor Jueneman 5-2, Austin Steinfort 2-(-4).
Passing — Madison: Porter 7-12-1 40. Hanover: Schotte 10-15-0 151, Braden Hynek 1-1-0 18.
Receiving — Madison: Hamilton 3-19, Charlie Schlotterbeck 2-13, Luthi 1-7, Kaleb Schankie 1-1. Hanover: Ethan Tegtmeier 6-76, Bruna 2-57, Jueneman 3-36.