EL CAJONEL CAJON — Facing a team averaging 600 yards and 48 points per game is never an easy task. Especially when that team is undefeated and ranked No. 6 in the San Diego Section.
Madison, however, was more than prepared for the assignment and presented coach Rick Jackson with an extra special gift on his 45th birthday.
Behind a defense that made three big fourth-down stops and forced four fumble turnovers, the visiting Warhawks throttled Grossmont, 34-13, on Friday night at Jack Mashin Stadium.
“Probably the best gift I could have received,” Jackson said. “Our defense was awesome. Simply awesome.”
Malakai Chappell, Javhi Blomquist, Deen Banks and Shelton McIntyre recovered fumbles for the Warhawks (3-2), who “limited” the Foothillers (4-1) to 401 yards.
The Madison offense wasn’t bad either. Ke’ontae Springs rushed 19 times for 182 yards and a TD. He also caught four es for 37 yards, including a 34-yard TD.
Jaylen Thomas was 11-of-16 ing for 139 yards and two TDs, including a 15-yarder to Hernan Smith. Thomas also rushed for a 33-yard TD as the Warhawks piled up 439 total yards.
“The team that made the fewest mistakes was going to win,” Grossmont coach Tom Karlo said. “We made too many mistakes. Everything they tried worked well.”
Last year was the first time these schools ever played, and Grossmont won a Division I playoff classic 44-42 with 1,001 combined total yards.
“They came to our house and beat us last year,” Springs said. “Tonight, we really executed well. Our defense came out and played great.”
Grossmont’s Jaime Odom (16 of 33) ed for 143 yards and rushed for 118 more, including an 11-yard TD scamper. But that score and two field goals by Axel Gonzalez (31 and 42 yards) ed for the Foothillers’ lowest point total of the season.
Considering these two section powers running no-huddle, up-tempo offenses, Madison’s 6-3 halftime lead was an oddity.
Madison 0 6 13 15 – 34
Grossmont 3 0 7 3 – 13
G – FG Axel Gonzalez 31
M – Hernan Smith 15 from Jaylen Thomas (kick failed)
M – Ke’ontae Springs 34 from Jaylen Thomas (Ben Montano kick)
G – Jaime Odom 11 run (Axel Gonzalez kick)
M – Jaylen Thomas 33 run (run failed)
G – FG Axel Gonzalez 42
M – Ke’ontae Springs 4 run (Ke’ontae Springs run)
M – Javhi Blomquist 23 run (Ben Montano kick)
Lindgren is a freelance writer.
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