Clinic Dodgers Excel Claiming First Victory

We’ve all heard the proverbial words of encouragement before. You learn more from losing than winning; you have to suffer the loss so you can savor the win; and my favorite, we’re a work in progress. Clinic Coach Greg Colao and his staff knew there were only so many times they could repeat them to their young Dodgers. Their 0-3 record coming into Friday nights’ game against the Dover Pythons was woeful on paper, but did nothing to hinder the spirit and morale of the pumped up players.

The coin toss flipped the game ball to Madisons Offense as QB Ben Colao charged his anxious troops onto the field at the MRC. Colao went right to work behind his line of Will Baisch, Joe DeMarzo, Nate McKenna, Collin Faraher and Justin Slabaugh. After a few plays for short gains, Gabe Artiglere stormed into the endzone, only to have it brought back on a Madison penalty. With the ball back on the Dover 33, Anthony Contessa took the next handoff and scored on an impressive run for Madison, and Artigleres’ PAT made it 7-0.

It was time for the Dodger Defense to show what they could do as Dover took possession. Madisons’ front line of Vincent Finelli, Michael Keller, Tommy Packie, Markus Vali and Ian Artavia was impenetrable, backed up by the secondary of Scotty Spelker, Robert Ferris,Lenny Jandali, Jakub Szacillo and Jackson Conroy. Their solid squad proved no match for Dover and sent the Python offense slithering to the sidelines after a short series.

Madisons’ next possession in the second quarter had notable runs from their arsenal of Contessa, Artiglere , Ferris and Andrew Boyd. Contessa had a long run for a score that was also brought back on a penalty, but on third and long he dashed to the Dover one yard line, where Artiglere took it in on the next play. A nice pass play to Ferris for the PAT had it 14-0 Madison at the half.

The Defense started the second half for Madison stingier than a California raincloud, and made swift tackles preventing any pliable gains, and got the ball back to the offense. Jared Barnes took over at QB, and mixed in a variety of plays on the ground and in the air. His ground forces led by Elliot Dressler and Spelker made steady advances, while his air corp of Boyd and Nick McKenna were open more times than a Dads’ wallet at Disneyworld. Artiglere struck again for 40 yards and Boyd made the point after, giving Madison a 21-0 lead headed into the fourth. The Defense once again rose to the occasion and held Dover to a few yards in as many plays, crushing any hope of a Dover comeback. The fourth quarter was all Madison, as the persistent offense plodded downfield highlighted by a 50+ yard sprint by Spelker. Their final score came on a well orchestrated run by Elliot Dressler for the TD. Madisons 27-0 shutout was preserved in Dodger defense style with a tremendous tackle by Nate McKenna, and defensive coordinator Steve Finelli remarked “The boys tough physical week of practice paid off in a dominating win” as the Clinic Dodgers secured their first victory. Coach Colao said afterwards “I am proud of the kids tonight. They had a good week of practice and they came to play with a lot of energy. It was a total team effort.”

The 1-3 Dodgers travel to Somerset Hills this Saturday where they will pursue their second win, continuing this work in progress.