As Granite Hill’s Kellan Cobbs can attest, opposing coaches have their minds full trying to prep for a game against Madison.
Attention drifts easily to stopping Ke’ontae Springs, one of the San Diego Section’s best running backs, but the Warhawks’ defense is terrifically talented, too.
Both came through in big ways Friday night as Madison outlasted Granite Hills, 39-29, in a wild one at the Madhouse.
Hernan Smith (45 yards) and Sam Owens (58 yards) returned a pair of long interceptions for touchdowns in the first half, and Springs tallied the final three TDs for Madison (2-1).
“You can’t spot them 14 points and expect to win,” Cobbs said. “They’re just too good.”
Springs came into the game with 414 rushing yards and finished this one with 131 on 21 carries, scoring from 39, 5 and 4 yards. He had 98 yards in the second half, and the Eagles (2-1) actually felt good about limiting Madison to 242 total yards.
Springs also completed 2-of-3 es for 54 yards, including a 35-yard TD strike to Smith in the back of the end zone. Springs also had an interception to thwart a last-ditch comeback.
“Springs is pretty special,” Madison coach Rick Jackson said. “And our defense was great. Those two pick-sixes were huge. It was ugly with a lot of mistakes, but we’ll take the win.”
Justus McComb was 15-of-31 for 201 yards and four TDs for Granite Hills, but the three interceptions were costly. James Johnson caught six balls for 94 yards and two TDs.
After Springs’ second TD midway through the third quarter, Madison led 32-9.
But the Eagles rallied behind McComb for the next three scores to pull to 32-29 with 1:55 to play.
Springs then reeled off two big runs and scored again and then had an interception on the final meaningful play of the game.
It was only the second time these schools had ever played, Granite Hills winning in 1975.
Granite Hills 7 2 6 14 – 29
Madison 6 20 6 7 – 39
M – Smith 45 interception return (kick blocked)
GH – Johnson 24 from McComb (Armstrong kick)
M – Smith 35 from Springs ( failed)
GH – Safety, punter down in end zone
M – Owens 58 interception return ((Escodero kick)
M – Springs 39 run (Escodero kick)
M – Springs 5 run (kick blocked)
GH – Johnson 10 from McComb ( failed)
GH – Setterberg 10 from McComb (Armstrong kick)
GH – Keeley 7 from McComb (Armstrong kick)
M – Springs 4 run (Escodero kick)
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
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