Football: Warhawks Open District Play with Win

In its first Liberty District game, the Madison Warhawks rolled to a convincing 29-6 win over the McLean Highlanders.

With the win, Madison improved its overall record to 3-1 while McLean dropped to 2-2. 

The Warhawks got off to a quick start with an explosive 78-yard touchdown pass from Dan Powers to Ben Stanford on the third play of the game. Thinking big play, Powers spotted Sanford streaking up the left sideline. The two had almost connected on the same play to open the game, but this time their timing was perfect. Sanford gathered in the 35-yard pass, shook his defender and raced into the end zone as the Warhawk fans roared their approval. 

Nick Hoy led the swarming Warhawk defense that forced McLean into a three-and-out on its first possession. It was a preview of things to come as the Warhawks held the Highlanders scoreless in the first half and for most of the game. Once again, the defense came up big with an interception, a fumble recovery, a safety, two sacks and countless crushing hits. 

Madison's second touchdown was set up by Sanford's interception late in the first quarter. Backed-up deep in Madison territory, McLean's quarterback tried to force a pass into tight coverage near the right sideline. Sanford stepped in front of the receiver, grabbed the ball, and rambled 20 yards to the 5-yard line.  Behind great blocking from his offensive line, Jacob Hall burst into the end zone for Madison's second score. Nick Dorka's PAT gave Madison a 14-0 lead.   

In the second quarter, Madison used a long, clock-consuming drive to set up its third score, an 8-yard touchdown pass to sure-handed Kyle Mancini. Dorka added a 32-yard field goal, and the Warhawks took a comfortable 24-0 lead at the half. The Highlanders offense had the ball six times in the first half, but managed only three first downs and could not move the ball consistently against Madison's aggressive defense.  

Madison's second half game plan was to run the ball, chew-up the clock, and prevent the McLean offense from completing any big plays.  Dorka added a 44-yard field goal in the third quarter to extend the lead to 27-0. The Warhawks controlled field position all night keeping the Highlanders in their own territory to start all their drives. Dorka's kick-offs were deep into the end zone all night, totaling six touchbacks on six kick-offs. Dorka also averaged 53 yards on his three punts, including one that was downed on the McLean 1-yard line.  

The Warhawk defense had another standout effort holding the Highlanders scoreless until late in the fourth quarter. Hoy was all over the field with five tackles, 11 assists and a sack. Dan Schwab had another solid performance with four tackles, six assists, a sack and a crunching safety to account for the final score of 29-6. Tom Wagaman had three tackles, five assists and a sack. Mitch Goddard, Mancini and Hall provided tight coverage on the receivers and held McLean to three completions for the night.    

The Warhawks' next game will be on the road against the Langley Saxons at 7:30 p.m. Friday. 

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Final

McLean

0

0

0

6

6

Madison

14

10

3

2

29

M:  B Sanford 78 pass from Powers (Dorka kick)
M:  J Hall 3 run (Dorka kick)
M:  K Mancini 7 pass from Powers (Dorka kick)
M:  Dorka 32 FG
M:  Dorka 44 FG
Mc: 1 run (kick failed)
M:  Schwab, safety, tackle in endzone 

Madison Passing (Comps-Atts-Yds-TDs-Ints): 

Powers: 10-23-207-2-0

Kickoff Returns (Number-Yards-TDs):

Hoffman: 1-20-0

Player

Tackles

Assists

Sacks

Tackles for Loss

Passes Defended

Fumble Caused

Fumble Recover

Ints

Schwab

4 (1 safety)

6

1 (-12)

1

Hoy

5

11

.5 (-1)

1

1

B Sanford

2

2

1 (-5)

1

1

Wagaman

3

5

.5 (-1)

K Mancini

5

2

2

Durham

2

2

J Hall

1

1

Henderson

1

4

Goddard

1

3

1

Goldsmith

1

2

Bowen

3

C Hall

1

1 (-3)

Sekas

1

Pearson

2

Barr

1

TOTALS

25

43

2 (14)

2 (-8)

7

2

1

1

Nick Dorka contributed this report.