Madison pounces all over Flinthills
Scott Hayes
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
MADISON — The Madison Bulldogs have been in playoff mode since a Week-Five loss to the Waverly Bulldogs, knowing one loss would most likely end their season.
The Bulldogs continued to play with that sense of urgency Tuesday night against Flinthills in the first round of the 8-Man Division I playoffs, beating the Mustangs, 56-10.
Madison (9-1) led 16-0 just 60 seconds into the contest and cruised from there, as the game was called at halftime because of the mercy rule.
Flinthills opened the game by attempting an onside kick, which Madison recovered at the Flinthills 39-yard line.
Madison fullback Michael Luthi ran the Bulldogs’ first offensive play from scrimmage 39 yards for the score, and after adding the two-point conversion, had the Bulldogs up, 8-0.
The Mustangs’ Shae Roberts fumbled on the second play of their first drive and Madison recovered at the Flinthills 12.
The Bulldogs were able to survive two illegal motions penalties when Caleb Hamilton ran Madison’s second official play from scrimmage 22 yards for a touchdown. Eric Porter connected with Kaleb Shankie for the two-point conversion, and Madison led, 16-0.
Madison coach Fred McClain said his team was fortunate to break out for the two plays to build the early lead, but didn’t want the team to relax.
“We talk about playing hard, one play at a time,” McClain said. “We talked about that a lot tonight.”
Flinthills (7-3) was able to respond to the early Madison scores by mounting an 11-play, 65-yard drive that was capped by a Josh Brown 1-yard touchdown run. The ensuing two-point conversion was nullified by a Mustang penalty, forcing them to settle for an extra point.
Madison didn’t wait long to respond, taking a 24-7 lead on a Porter-to-Shankie 14-yard touchdown pass on the next possession.
Flinthills’ final points came on a 35-yard Michael Strasser field goal with 53 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter.
McClain said the Bulldogs made the necessary adjustments to the Mustangs’ running game and were able to shut them down.
“Overall I thought the ’Dawgs played pretty good,” McClain said. “I wanted the intensity level to stay high, and I was pleased to see how we started the game and maintained it throughout the game.”
The Madison defense held Flinthills to 89 total yards, while the Bulldogs gained 258 total yards themselves. Madison also benefited from three Mustangs turnovers.
Sid Childers returned Micah Womacks’ second interception 21-yards for a touchdown.
Luthi finished with 183 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 12 carries.
Madison moves on to play Hanover (10-0), which defeated St. Johns-Tipton, 48-0, on Tuesday.
Madison 56, Flinthills 10
Tuesday at Madison
Flinthills 10 0 X X — 10
Madison 24 32 X X — 56
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — Flinthills: Josh Brown 9-36, Shae Roberts 9-11, Micah Womacks 3-11, Preston Hefton 2-5. Madison: Michael Luthi 12-183, Caleb Hamilton 3-27, Charlie Schlotterbeck 4-34.
Passing — Flinthills: Womacks 3-10-2 26. Madison: Eric Porter 1-2-0 14.
Receiving — Flinthills: Roberts 2-15, Caleb Keplar 1-11. Madison: Kaleb Shankie 1-14.