Bulldogs Run Through the Wildcats; Win 48-7
The Madison Bulldogs dominate on the road and punch their ticket to the playoffs after a 48-7 win over the Custer Wildcats.
It was all Bulldogs from the first play. Quite literally. First play of the game was a rush from Custer’s Daniel Immormino that got punched out and flew into the hands of Andrew Comes who returned it for a touchdown. Madison didn’t look back from that point on and ran away with the win.
Even for a game that saw just one sack, which wasn’t by the Bulldogs, the defense still dominated and controlled the game. This also marks consecutive games without an interception for the Bulldogs – something that was a crucial part of why they were losing those close games.
Madison held the Wildcats to zero yards passing and 120 yards rushing in the game. It’s the third time this season that the team has held opposing teams to zero or negative yardage in either the rush or pass category. Two of which came in the last two weeks.
They dominated on first downs winning that battle 19-5. If you had to do some nitpicking from today’s game, the first bit of finger pointing would go straight to the penalties.
Last week, Madison had just one penalty for five yards. This week, they had seven for 70 yards – three of which were 15 yarders. This is an area that still could use some work and in the end it just comes down to focus.
The Bulldogs run game was strong today and didn’t force anything. Both Jordan Pederson and Caleb Hodges both took advantage in the run game today. Each player w/nine carries and just a five yard separation in final yards rushing. Pederson finished with 61 and Hodges had 56 in the game.
Defensively, Cole Klingbile led the way in tackles with 11, nine coming in the first half. Followed by Pederson with nine then Caleb Peterson & Eli Barger each had five.
Three interceptions, all by different players. Andrew Comes, as you may have guessed, got his hands on another INT. Teammate Lincoln Anderson, who had his first receiving touchdown today, was the second guy to get an INT. Finally, to end the game, junior linebacker Hunter Hanson got his first of the season in the finals seconds.
Madison stepped up in all phases of the game and put their stamp on their final win of the year. They’ve got this thing figured out now. Next for Madison? Playoffs.
Matchups are set for 11A, with Madison set to take on the Dell Rapids Quarriers in the Quarterfinals to open playoff action next Thursday at 7pm. A matchup of the last two State Champions and a rematch from earlier this season. Time to get your popcorn ready.
