Madison — Madison coach Fred McClain was more emotional in his postgame speech than you would think a coach would be after a 52-6 win. But this team, these players are finding a special place in McClain’s heart.
“I told them tonight I’ve felt this energy one other time before and it was a team I had back in New Jersey,” McClain said. “And I’m not saying anything against any of the teams we’ve had here at Madison. This team doesn’t take an off day or an off night. We haven’t had a bad practice since about the second practice. The only thing bad that happened that day was somebody threw some water at somebody during a water break that got my attention.”
Madison (10-0) has certainly captured the attention of those in 8-man I football. The Bulldogs entered Tuesday night’s first round playoff game against Marais des Cygnes Valley as the No. 1 team in the state, and they did not disappoint, winning for the eighth straight game by mercy rule.
The Bulldogs scored on their first six possessions and also had a safety and an interception return for a touchdown. They dominated the line of scrimmage, and the Trojans had to take satisfaction in that they didn’t give up many big plays — limiting the Bulldogs to only four plays of 20-plus yards.
“We’re content with five, six, 10 (yards),” said running back Michael Luthi, who ran for 123 yards and four touchdowns on 15 carries. “We’re going to go score. They can’t stop us.”
The Bulldogs defense was dominant — as usual — but the Trojans did have some success in their passing game — if you consider 8-for-26 for 91 yards a success. They at least moved the ball down the field twice on the Bulldogs, getting inside the Madison 10 twice and scoring once.
The result was never in question but the Trojans ability to at least sustain a couple drives made it look like they would be able to at least force a third quarter, but the Madison special teams and defense made sure that didn’t happen. Kale Schankie blocked a punt for a safety, Dylan Barnard recovered a fumble on a kickoff, Wade Elwood returned an interception for a touchdown and Henry Ott had an interception that led to Madison’s final touchdown.
“When this game started, there was no way I thought it was going to be over at halftime,” McClain said.
The Bulldogs have had only one game this season that has gone the distance, but four quarters might be awaiting them in the second round. Undefeated Goessel is Madison’s second round opponent on Saturday. Goessel also won by mercy rule at halftime on Tuesday night, beating Flinthills 46-0.
“I guess we don’t really know what it’s like to play in a fourth quarter, but we think we’re in pretty good condition,” Luthi said. “We’ll be ready.”
Ott added, “Coach keeps us focused. He doesn’t let us look past anybody.”
The Bulldogs play like the ultimate cliché: one play at a time, one game at a time and Luthi said they make sure to play every play like it’s their last. If they keep it up, their last game could be the state championship, which would be a first in McClain’s 12 years as the team’s head coach.
“I tell you what, these kids never cease to amaze me the energy level they bring,” McClain said. “I’m kind of waiting for that off game, and it’s just a special group. They bring it every week.”
Tuesday at Madison
MdCV 0 6 — 6
Madison 16 36 — 52
First quarter
MAD — Luthi 9 run (Ott run)
MAD — Hamilton 1 run (conversion failed)
MAD — safety
Second quarter
MAD — Luthi 11 run (Hamilton run)
MAD — Luthi 9 run (Luthi run)
MdCV — Litch 3 run (conversion failed)
MAD — Luthi run (conversion failed)
MAD — Elwood 35 interception return (conversion failed)
MAD — Childers 26 pass from Ott (Childers pass from Luthi)
GAME STATISTICS
MdCV MAD
First downs 6 8
Rushes-yards 12-25 29-255
Comp-Att-Int 8-26-2 1-1-0
Passing yards 91 26
Total yards 116 281
Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0
Penalties-yards 1-5 2-10
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing — MdCV: Rager 4-28, Litch 8-(minus-3); MAD: Luthi 15-123, Ott 6-95, Hamilton 5-35, Fox 2-(minus-4).
Passing — MdCV: Litch 8-25-2 91, Goodwin 0-1-0; MAD: Ott 1-1-0 26.
Receiving — MdCV: Schmidt 3-64, Goodwin 4-16, Rager 1-9; MAD: Childers 1-26.