Second half supremacy
Bulldogs take control after halftime, roll 46-8
By Jeremy Shapiro
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
MADISON — Two defensive stands on both sides of halftime helped Madison get on track and pull away from pesky Rock Hills in Tuesday’s 8-Man Division I postseason opener.
Trailing 16-8, Rock Hills was in position to tie the game with a first-and-goal at the Bulldogs’ 5 with two minutes left in the first half. Two Grizzles runs gained one yard and then speedy freshman Joel Broeckelman was nailed for a four-yard loss on third down.
Chance Copple’s fourth down pass to Aaron Broeckelman was complete, but Kole Schankie tackled him at the 2 before Broeckelman could stretch for the end zone.
Rock Hills got the ball first in the second half and after three plays they decided to go for it on fourth and one at their own 24. Copple fumbled the snap and Madison senior Tyler Williams jumped on it.
Three Schankie runs later resulted in a touchdown and the Bulldogs were on their way to the 46-8 win. Madison improved to 10-0 and won the bi-district title.
“We take a lot of pride in our defense” Madison coach Fred McClain said. “We play team defense where everyone does their job before we help their buddy. When you play good defense, you are always in the game.”
Rock Hills (7-3) came into the game averaging 53 points a contest and had scored 50 or more points seven times this season. Rock Hills is located in Mankato, a town of about 900 people roughly 90 miles northwest of Salina.
RH exhibited some offensive prowess during a 16-play, 61-yard touchdown drive. The Grizzles twice were successful on fourth down plays, which were both quarterback option runs outside.
“We had some trouble with their quarterbacks on the option,” McClain said. “We went to halftime and made adjustments with our defensive ends. Once we slowed down their option play to the outside, it was kind of like game over.”
Madison opened the game with 40- and 51-yard touchdowns runs by Schankie. The offense was contained the rest of half before coming to life in the second half.
After Schankie’s third touchdown run, he intercepted a Copple pass. He then ran 37 yards to the 1. Collin Kile scored on a quarterback draw. Kile later added a second touchdown run on a draw from six yards out. Schankie scored his fourth touchdown on a short fourth-quarter run.
Schankie finished with 320 yards on 29 carries. Thompson also had a big game with four catches for 66 yards and 24 yards on the ground. Madison racked up 457 total yards offensively.
Madison will play again Saturday on the road at Central-Burden-Central.
McClain said his assistant coaches have already being reviewing opponent game tapes.
“We’re excited,” he said. “We are where we want to be. We just got to keeping working hard and stay the course.”