Lake County Sentinel
Madison torches North 33-0
BY JOEY SCHNEIDER
STAFF
(EASTLAKE, OH) - The Madison Blue Streaks put on a football clinic Friday night at Carter Stadium in Eastlake, beating the Eastlake North Rangers 33-0.
"To prepare you got to go to the stat book. That's a team that put up a lot of points and a lot of yards on the ground, and we knew it was going to be a physical game, and our mantra was the same as last week. The more physical team was going to win the game. I thought we were the more physical team." Madison head coach Mike Gilligan said after the game.
Eastlake North came into the game starting the season 2-0 for just the third time since 2010. The Rangers have relied on their run game the first two weeks of the season behind running backs Braydon Sandstrom and Alexavier Harris, who combined for 142 rushing in the game. The Rangers have not attempted a pass until tonight, which was intercepted by Madison's Patrick Clark, who also caught a 34-yard touchdown pass from Madison Senior quarterback Will Randall Jr.
The Blue Streaks relied heavily on running back Payton Birman who had 80 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the night, as their other starter James Poe was out with an injury. The offensive and defensive lines of Madison were pushing people around the field all night. Opening holes for Birman to get through, protecting Will Randall Jr, not allowing a sack on offense, while also stuffing the run up the middle and never breaking on defense.
"It's an everyday thing for us. We push sleds everyday. Defense, offense no matter what we are just working hard on the line. It's trench work. If we win on the line, we're going to win the game" said two-way senior starting lineman Cameron Mullen.
Madison scored with a plethora of players on Friday. "We have some players out tonight; James Poe is one of them. It's a next man up mentality." Mike Gilligan echoed again after the game. Sophomore Don Gephart, senior Patrick Clark, junior Anthony Telenko, and senior Payton Birman, all contributed touchdowns in the game.
Madison's Will Randall Jr again made play after play when they were needed the most. Even on a few third and longs, he was composed and made incredible throws, marching down the field. "He's a talent of course, but with our seniors out, we have Chase White out, we have James Poe out, his leadership role has really stepped up, but the way he prepares every week, he deserves this to happen because he's worked for it. It's no accident." added coach Gilligan. Randall finished the game 11/14, with 201 yards and a touchdown.
The Eastlake North Rangers played tough, but a couple of fumbles and an interception all led to Blue Streak touchdowns. While the game got away from North, they have an extremely talented roster and coaching staff led by Shawn Dodd that will clean it up.
Eastlake North will look to bounce back next week on the road against Lutheran East, while the Madison Blue Streaks will look to keep their winning streak alive as they also travel to play Holy Name.
POSTED 09/05/2025 23:36
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Photo by Joey Schneider
