|
|
There can't possibly be enough in Madison's equipment room to go around after Friday night's impressive 38-6 rout of Premier Athletic Conference rival Chardon.
The Blue Streaks' big, talented offensive line paved the way for running back Nick Yeager's 210-yard, four touchdown performance. The defense limited the Hilltoppers' high-powered Wing-T offense - which came in to the game averaging more than 400 yards per contest - to 201 yards (160 rushing) and eight first downs.
In a game with critical playoff implications and positioning in the PAC race, it would be hard to imagine Willis or any player wearing the blue and white could have drawn it up any better.
"Offense, defense and special teams all came to play tonight," Willis said. "Beating Chardon is special to us at Madison. It is a big rivalry game for us. The kids played with a lot of confidence, and I think they believe in themselves."
Chardon (4-3, 1-1 PAC) has to be a believer after seeing Madison build a 17-0 halftime lead, increase the advantage to 31 on Yeager's third touchdown of the game just 30 seconds into the fourth quarter, and go on to beat the Hilltoppers for the first time since 2002.
Chardon didn't pick up its initial first down until the last play of the first quarter, and it wasn't until Mason Bishop's 1-yard touchdown run with 7:55 left in the game did the Hilltoppers get on the scoreboard.
"They played well," Chardon coach Jim DiPofi said. "They are physically tough, and we knew it was going to be tough. You could see on tape how good they are. I don't think we played that well, but I would never take any credit away from them. Not with that final score."
The final score might have still been in question despite the Blue Streaks' strong first half, but the outcome was all but decided late in the third quarter when Madison (5-2, 2-0 PAC) used an 11-play, 5 1/2-minute, 67-yard drive to push the advantage out to 24-0 on Yeager's 1-yard scoring plunge.
For Yeager, Friday's win was special on several levels. With three road games to close the regular season, it was the senior's last time playing - assuming the Blue Streaks don't work their way into hosting a playoff game - at Blue Streak Memorial Stadium.
It was also the first time Yeager - a three-year starter - had gotten the better of Chardon on the gridiron.
"This was my last time playing on this field, and it is very emotional right now," Yeager said.
"The offensive line was really getting it done up front. I think anyone could have run for 200 yards the way they played."
The offensive line, keyed by Kevin Hendricks and Kyle Glass on the right side, handled the Hilltoppers up front and had Yeager scampering untouched into the secondary on several occasions.
Ironically, for all the success Madison had on the ground, the Blue Streaks started the game with seven straight passes. Senior tight end Nic DiLillo, who caught six balls for 67 yards after not catching a pass last week against South, had two receptions on the first two plays of the game.
Kyle Petersen led Chardon with 61 yards rushing, and quarterback Chad Davis added 48.
"We did a lot of film study, and it is the second year in row we did an excellent job on defense against them," Willis said. "We think we know their offense as well as they do. We had to be where we were supposed to be against them and we were."
Now Willis might have to be out shopping for more game balls because of the effort.
