Dodgers Take Control of Division with Dominant Win

It was supposed to be its most difficult game of the 2010 regular season. Instead, the Madison High School football team routed previously undefeated rival Lenape Valley, 42-0, on Saturday in Madison.

"I feel great," Madison head coach Chris Kubik said. "The kids really responded. We challenged them this game, we knew Lenape was a tough team going in, but the bottom line is that we wanted to play as hard as we could, and we did."

While most people expected a competitive game, the Dodgers (7-0) came into the contest with a different mentality, fueled by last year's loss to the Patriots.

"We were focused," said Madison captain Aaron Fant, who had seven catches for 93 yards and a score in the win. "Last year they got us really good, and we wanted to get revenge on them."

Revenge was had, as Madison didn't allow Lenape a chance to breath in this one starting from its opening drive, which resulted in a five-yard touchdown run by quarterback Matt McHale.

McHale would record yet another impressive game – one of many in 2010 – throwing for 111 yards on 10 of 12 passing and two touchdowns, while carrying the ball 16 times for 104 yards and three scores.

Helping McHale to his 104 yards rushing was the Madison offensive line.

"This is huge," center Matt Spelker said. "We lost this game last year and we were not very happy, so winning today is clutch."

The Dodgers' most eye-popping touchdown came in the second quarter, as McHale connected with Fant in the corner of the end zone. Fant, who was well covered on the play went up for the ball and somehow managed to get a foot down inbounds.

An impressive throw, but an even more impressive catch by the senior split end.

"He's great," McHale said of Fant. "I put the ball up and he wants it and he's going to get it. He just started playing football in eighth grade and every year he just gets better. Every game, every week, every practice he gets better."

But it was hard to decipher where Madison was most dominant on Saturday, as the Dodgers defense held Lenape Valley to 48 yards rushing while forcing four turnovers in the shut out.

The defense showed off its aggressive style all day, most notably though on a third-quarter goal-line stand. After a pass interference call gave Lenape a first-and-goal from the nine-yard line, the Dodgers stopped four straight rushing attempts, forcing a turnover on downs.

"That may have been my favorite part of the game," Kubik said. "Those 11 guys didn't quit. They took pride in not letting them in the end zone and that was a huge play for us. I think that really made a statement. "

Leading the defense were senior linebacker Mike Staneart, who had six tackles and a fumble recovery, and defensive end Owen Bradley – who came back from injury to play on Saturday – with four tackles and a fumble recovery.

"It's great, the greatest feeling in the world," Bradley said of coming back from an injury to play a big role against the Patriots. "It's a great win. The line stepped up and we played really well today."

Mike Boardman, another member of Madison's "Train Station" offensive line wants people to know that the Dodgers are a legit title contender.

"With the playoffs coming up, we need to show people that we're for real," he said. "No flukes. We've got to put up as many points as we can to get the No. 1 seed and two home playoff games."

While the win leaves the Dodgers excited, Fant knows that the season isn't even close to being over.

"I'm feeling great," he said. "(We're) 7-0, but we've got to close it out next week to get our own conference championship, not a share of it."

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