Super Pee Wee Dodgers Wrangle Randolph For Third Win

Madisons SPW Dodgers again had to travel westward to the frosted fields of Randolph on Saturday morning, anxious to extend their current winning streak to three. Coach Peter Mazzocchi kept the atmosphere light in pregame warmups, and it seemed to work as his players proved once again they had the tenacity to play till the final whistle, coming back proudly to beat the Bulldogs 19-18 in a thriller.

Randolph took first possession and made it to the 50 in two plays. Nick McKenna then recovered the fumble on the next play, and the Dodgers offense took over. Their first play, a reverse to Anthony Contessa, also ended in a fumble, turning it back over to Randolph. Now over the pregame jitters, the Bulldogs ran it straight into the end zone for a quick 6, but the Dodgers D held on the point after try. Madison had some nice carries by Contessa and Scotty Spelker, but had to turn it over on downs. Gio Collins, Nate McKenna, Justin Slabaugh had nice stops for Madison, ending a quick first quarter 6-0. Ronan McGinn and Slabaugh kept up the pressure, and cornerback Ben Colao had a great stop of his own on a Randolph sweep.

A fine kick by the Bulldogs had Madisons offense deep in their own territory, and after three plays, Madison was forced to kick from inside their endzone. Randolph took that kick and threaded their way into the endzone for their second score, and again Madison held tough on the point after, keeping it 12-0 at the half.

Gabe Artiglere took charge for Madison to open the second half, and after four offside penalties by Randolph, Madison found themselves masked and ringing the doorbell at the Bulldog goalline. Artiglere took it in on the next play, but the kick was blocked, so the Dodgers settled for 6. Randolph then surprised everyone by taking the ensuing kickoff downfield for their third TD, and yet again the Dodger defense blocked the point after kick. Madison started their offense again on the 40, and nice carries by Contessa, Artiglere, Spelker and Nick McKenna brought the ball to the Randolph 5 as the third quarter ended, 18-6. QB Robert Ferris did his best to punch it in to start the fourth, but Madison was forced to turn it over on downs.

On Randolph’s first play, their running back coughed it up and fumbled it back to Madison, and a quick reverse to Contessa had six more for Madison with two minutes left in the game. Now Madisons defense exploded onto the field, and refused to give away any turf to Randolph, leashing the Bulldogs on four plays and getting the ball back to Ferris and company with a minute left. Contessa and Artiglere rushed for two big carries setting the ball at the Bulldog 5, and Artiglere took it in to tie the game at 18 with seconds remaining, as the Madison faithful cheered and cow belled their support for the extra point attempt.

Contessa got the nod and drilled through the line for the go ahead score and Madison had the lead for the first time today. Randolph took over on the 40, and was stopped at the line by Slabaugh on their first run.

Their next play was a pass, and Colao swooped from nowhere for the interception as the final whistle blew, and Madison earned a sweet come from behind win, their third in a row. Coach Mazzocchi was beyond elation, saying “ I knew we could come back, I had every faith we would” and added “ I never expected the interception, but that just shows how these boys never gave up today, I’m very proud of them.” The 3-3-2 Dodgers play their last game of the season at Home on Saturday 11/7.