Titans send Madison to 3rd straight football loss

Four turnovers, three different leads, and two blocked kicks, weren’t enough for the Madison Bulldogs as they fell in overtime to Tea Area on Friday, 27-21. The Titans needed just three plays in overtime to find the endzone, on a 1 yard TD run from backup quarter back Cael Ludin. Ludin’s PAT attempt was blocked, giving Madison a chance to win in overtime. But twice in OT a pass sailed through the hands of a Bulldog receiver, and the Madison lost for the third week in a row.

The Bulldogs took the first lead of the game on a 27 scoring run from Chris Reece in the 1st quarter. Tea answered with a defensive score, as PJ Parmallee stole the ball from Trey Smith, and ran it in from 20 yards out to tie the game. The Bulldogs scored again in the 1st half, this time on a Tyler Tappe pass to Mason Avery, for a 14-7 lead. Tea running back Joey Headrick found the endzone late in the 1st half to tie the game at 14-14.

The Madison defense turned away Tea twice in the 3rd quarter. Once on a blocked field goal, the other on a fumble recovery inside the red zone. That set up Tappe’s 2nd TD pass to Carter Bergheim, and put the Bulldogs up 21-14. In the 4th quarter the Titans again tied the game, this time on a short plunge from JT Panning, that set up the overtime.

Tappe finished the game 14 of 33 for 174 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. He also ran for a team high 64 yards on 15 carries. Headrick paced the Titans with 112 yards rushing and a score.

Zach Whittlock finished with 8 tackles for Madison. Cody Brown had 4 tackles and a sack. Berghiem and Mason Avery each intercepted a pass from the Titans.

Tea Area is now 4-1 this season, while the Bulldogs fell to 2-3. Madison will be on the road again next week to take on Milbank.