Lake County Sentinel
Blue Streaks dominate Rebels 41-6
BY JOEY SCHNEIDER
STAFF
(MADISON, OHO) -Friday night football, back for week number two, saw a matchup between the Madison Blue Streaks (0-1) taking on the Willoughby South Rebels (0-1) at Dick Hamblin Field in Madison. Both teams lost tough opening games in week one and were looking for their first win of the young season. Only one of these programs would walk away with the victory tonight, however. That turned out to be the home Blue Streaks 41-6.
South was led by Senior WR/DB Delond Moss who may be one of the best playmakers in the Western Reserve Conference, along with Senior WR/DB Terrion Singleton, Senior OL/DE Luka Soric, and Senior DE Quintin Wilson. The Blue Streaks on the other hand had Senior TE/DB Noah Barnes, Senior RB/LB Sonny Salajcik along with their multi-talented Senior QB Carson Alley who is dangerous both in the passing game and rushing game leading the home team.
South received the ball to open in the first half. On the second play of the drive South tried a reverse into a pass that resulted in an interception by Madison's Noah Barnes.
Madison struck first after a long drive by the Blue Streaks, capped off by a seven-yard rumble into the endzone by Senior Sonny Salajcik. QB Carson Alley found Junior TE Ryan Radkowski three times, each of them for first downs keeping the drive going.
South was having trouble getting anything going offensively, only able to muster one first down through a quarter and a half of play.
Madison again got aggressive and punched it into the endzone on a nine-yard sweep to the weak side by Sophomore RB James Poe. The play was again set up by a nine-yard pass to TE Ryan Radkowski. After the score Madison was in the lead 14-0
South again would make a costly mistake as QB Gabe Hanslik threw a pass meant for WR Delond Moss, but was intercepted by the ball hawking DB Noah Barnes, his second of the game.
The interception would prove to be costly as on a 4th and 6, Madison would go for it and the connection of Alley to Radkowski would be on display yet again as they connected for a 27-yard touchdown, with just over two minutes left in the half. 21-0 with Madison showing dominance.
South showed signs of life in the last drive of the second quarter as Sophomore QB Liam Coyne found Delond Moss on a 35-yard throw and catch. Coyne would then complete four more passes in a row advancing South into the redzone. A seven-yard run by Sophomore RB Cardarrio Williams, set up Coyne to find Moss wide open for an eleven-yard touchdown, South's first of the game. After the missed extra point, both teams headed into the locker rooms. Madison was leading 21-6.
South's defense came out fired up and stopped the Blue Streaks on the first drive of the second half and went held Madison to a three and out. The Rebels, who played two quarterbacks all game, had Senior Gabe Hanslik under center. He threw into traffic as was once again intercepted by Madison, this time by Junior WR/DB Will Smith.
The Blue Streaks now had their footing underneath them, and drove the ball 45 yards down the field, eating up about six minutes and capping it off with a two-yard touchdown run by quarterback Carson Alley.
Madsison really wanted the win on this day. On a 3rd and 10, South QB Liam Payne was leveled from his blindside by Blue Streaks Junior LB Alex Davis, the ball went flying behind him into the endzone and was recovered by Senior DL Demetrious Williams for a defensive touchdown, extending the lead to 34-6.
The Rebels, trying to claw their way back into the game went for it on 4th and 2 deep in their own territory, but was stopped by a staunch Blue Streak defense. Madison then scored again on a one-yard touchdown run by RB Sonny Salajcik. Madison was in the driver seat 41-6 and stayed in the driver seat as they ran out the clock to secure their first win of the year.
While both teams wanted the win, The Blue Streaks were just running tougher, getting open, and hitting harder.
After the game Madison Head Coach Mike Gilligan talked about getting the ball to his tight end in the first half. "The first part of the gameplan was running the football, and running the ball sets those plays up. We practiced it all week". He then talked about his defense. "South has weapons, and we were going to make sure we covered the pass, but still always have to be concerned about the run. (South) Coach Duffy does a good job of running the ball, but our kids worked. I can't say it enough. We are lucky enough to have a lot of guys that are fresh and don't have to play offense so that definitely helps, we rotate a lot of guys on our defensive line, and we've worked hard in the off season on both sides of the ball to get bigger and stronger".
The Madison Blue Streaks next game will be at Eastlake North where they will look to pick up a second straight victory, while Willoughby South will also be on the road against Brush, still looking for their first win. Both games take place on Friday September 1st at 7 pm.
POSTED 08/26/2023 00:07
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Photo by Joe Schneider
