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Madison keeps it going, pounds Strasburg

Madison County made it look easy Friday night, rolling up a four touchdown lead by halftime over Strasburg before cruising through the second half for a 28-7 win.

The Mountaineers (8-0, 2-0 Bull Run District) used a balance attack — 152 yards rushing and 163 passing — to easily dispatch the Rams (1-8, 0-3 Bull Run District), who moved the ball but bogged down as they neared the goal line several times.

Madison, on the other hand, wasted no time getting into the end zone on its first possession. Behind a series of bruising runs from sophomore running back Jerod Williams and junior running back Ralph Yates, the Mountaineers swiftly moved down the field and scored with 9:03 remaining in the first quarter when Yates recorded the first of two four-yard touchdown runs.

Following a strong kickoff return, Strasburg started its first drive on Madison’s 48-yard line but was only able to get one first down before turning the ball over on downs at the 32.

The Mountaineers got the ball back at the 5:32 mark and scored again right before the end of the first when Yates scored the second of his two four-yard touchdown runs. A botched snap on the extra point attempt threw off the try and Madison led 13-0 after the first. Yates finished with 96 yards and the two scores on 14 carries.

“Ralph did a great job tonight,” said Madison coach Stuart Dean. “He hits the holes so hard that everything he gets is going to be positive. His feet are always moving forward. He plays the game full speed. We’re happy with what he did tonight.”

The Rams were able to once again convert only one first down before Madison got the ball back, this time on an interception by Williams at the Madison 34-yard line. The Mountaineers then put together their third straight methodical drive, capping the march with a 10-yard touchdown toss from quarterback Dustin Kirby to wide receiver Antonio Childress. Kirby completed his first six throws on the night on his way to a 13-of-16 showing for 163 yards and two touchdowns.

“We did what we needed to do [in the first half],” Dean said. “[We] played good on offense and defense, and were exactly where we wanted to be.”

Yates hauled in a successful two-point conversion pass, making it 21-0.

Strasburg kept up its pattern of getting one first down before stalling out on its next drive. The Madison defense was stout all night, giving up only 211 yards. Senior Quinton Walker picked up the defense’s only sack, but Strasburg quarterback Michael Reynolds had a Mountaineer in his face all night.

“Our defense has done a great job all year,” Dean said. “That’s something that we’ve worked on since day one — that we wanted to be great run-stoppers and that’s what we were able to do tonight.”

Madison completed its scoring with under a minute remaining in the first half when Childress caught another touchdown pass, this time wide open from nine yards out. In addition to his pick, Childress hauled in seven catches for 121 yards plus the two scores.

Madison running backs Devon Boone and Logan Terrell missed the game, opening the door for Yates and Williams to assume bigger roles. The Mountaineers travel to Manassas Park next Friday.

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