Dodgers Football Dominates on Both Sides of Ball

The Madison High School football team, led by its stout defense, utterly dominated Kittatinny Regional High School on Friday afternoon as the Dodgers rolled, 35-0, in Hampton.

The Dodgers defense has lived up to its hardnosed reputation thus far into the season, allowing only seven points in its first two contests of 2010.

In this one the "D" looked unflappable, allowing only one first down all game, while forcing two fumbles, one interception and sacking the Cougar quarterback three times.

"We were ready to play today," head coach Chris Kubik said after the win. "We knew last week that we got off to a slow start and the one thing we wanted to make sure is that we did not do that again. These guys learn from their mistakes. We played hard today."

Leading the defense were senior linebackers Mike Staneart and Spencer Waresk. Staneart totaled five tackles and a sack, while Waresk wrapped up four tackles and forced one fumble.

"We played real well," Staneart said. "We got work done. That's all we want to do every week, just come out and win some games."

Also chipping in on defense was senior defensive back Michael Coviello, who recorded a second quarter interception, and sophomore linebacker Matt McDonald with a first quarter sack.

"They played great. They always play great," senior quarterback Matt McHale said after the game. "Always fast and physical."

But Madison was just as dominant on the offensive side of the ball, as the senior quarterback torched the Cougars defense for 153 yards and two touchdowns. McHale also rushed for 30 yards on six carries.

"The offensive line played great again today," McHale said. "They protected well for all my throws and opened holes for the running game."

McHale, who had more opportunities to pass this week than in Week 1, found some helpful information when preparing for Kittatinny.

"We saw a few things on film," he said. "They play a lot of cover-one and we thought we could take advantage of it. That's what we did today."

Also shining on offense was sophomore running back Justin Goodwin. Goodwin and McHale connected four times totaling for 115 yards. Goodwin also ran for 44 yards on eight carries, finding the end zone three times on Friday.

"He's a great football player. A great young kid," Kubik said. "He's really developing into a big talent for us. He's been tremendous, he works hard and his future is so bright for us. It's fun to coach him."

"(McHale) looks at me a lot out there," Goodwin said. "We have certain plays that get me out into open space and he gets me the ball. We work real hard."

Senior running back Colin McLinden also ran hard, rushing for 55 yards on nine carries, finding the end zone one time.

"We just worked on execution (in practice this week)," Kubik said. "Our offense is what it is. We just executed better today."

Madison will look to stay perfect next Saturday as the Dogers face Parsippany in Madison.

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