Elwood shines in Madison victory
Josh Slaughter, Special to The Gazette
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Madison — When Crest came to Madison at 6-0 for this Friday’s match up, the Bulldogs knew they would be tested. They knew the Lancers brought to the table a strong passing game that had rolled to previous victories.
They answered most questions at about the 7:20 mark in the first quarter when they took a 14-0 advantage, and from there, they rolled to a 46-0 halftime mercy-rule victory in their third week of district play.
“We knew they were going to be our best opponent so far, so we prepared really well for them,” senior tailback Caleb Hamilton said. “Our defense was prepared and offense did what they always do, which is score points.”
The offense may have been the key to the victory, but the tone for the win was set after two amazing defensive plays by senior Wade Elwood. Elwood recovered a fumbled CHS snap in the end zone for MHS’s second score of the game. He also broke up three of Crest’s passes. It was Elwood’s last defensive play that sealed the deal for the Bulldogs. Elwood returned a second fumbled snap one yard for his second score of the night, giving Madison its fifth straight mercy-rule victory.
“Wade’s a stud,” senior Michael Luthi said. “He’s a guy that plays hard for us every single day, and tonight he really stepped up for us.”
Elwood also caught one pass for nine yards that helped the Bulldogs gain a crucial first down after it looked like Crest was going to make a big defensive stop.
“It all starts with Wade in the weight room,” Madison coach Fred McClain said. “He’s a strong guy, he built himself up, he’s tough, he’s a coachable. There is nothing really negative I can say about that guy, he’s just a hard-working bulldog, he brings his lunch pail to work every day.”
The defense held the Lancers’ high-powered offense to only five net yards in the first quarter as Crest was only allowed six offensive plays in the entire first quarter.
“We prepared all week (for their offense), we had special coverages, zone coverages, that would help us get pressure on the quarterback, which our D-line did really well,” Elwood said.
The offense did everything it could to help its defense as the Madison offense scored on four of its five possessions, including a 14-play drive in the second quarter that took nearly six minutes off the clock.
“We knew coming into the game that this team had a lot of great athletes. They proved that in basketball last year,” McClain said. “So on defense we brought some pressure, and we knew we’d have to set back in zone and stop them. The game plan for us though going in was to take time off the clock (on offense).”
Luthi continued his production on the ground, carrying the ball 11 times for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Hamilton split the duties with him touching the ball ten times for 62 yards and two touchdowns. Henry Ott also had a successful night running the ball, carrying four times for 43 yards and also passing for 24 yards.
The Bulldogs play Lebo next week at home.
“We just have to prepare hard and practice for them, and we’ll do that,” Elwood said.
Friday at Madison
Madison 16 30 — 46
Crest 0 0 — 0
First quarter
MHS — Luthi 4-yard run (conversion good)
MHS — Elwood Fumble Recovery (conversion good)
Second quarter
MHS — Hamilton 16 run (conversion good)
MHS — Hamilton 11 run (conversion good)
MHS — Luthi 5 run (conversion failed)
MHS — Elwood 1 fumble return (conversion good)
Game statistics
MHS CHS
Rushes-yards 26-186 11-(minus 3)
Passing yards 24 111
Comp.-Att-Int 3-7-0 6-15-1
Fumbles-lost 1-0 4-2
Rushing — MHS: Luthi 11-63; Hamilton 10-62; Ott 4-43; Zach Nowell 1-18. CHS: Bryan Newton 2-7; Dakota Ramsey 2-5; Micah Smith 1-0; Todd Johnstone 6-(minus 16).
Passing — MHS: 3-7-0 24; CHS: Johnstone 6-14-1 111; Brandon Newton 0-1-0 0.
Receiving — MHS: Elwood 1-9; Hamilton 1-8; Dylan Barnard 1-7; CHS: Bra. Newton 2-49; Bry. Newton 1-34; Luke Decker 1-20; Dakota Milner 2-8.