Lake County Sentinel
Madison picks up first win taking down Rebels 48-29
BY JOEY SCHNEIDER
STAFF
(MADISON, OH) - The Madison Blue Streaks (1-1) hosted the Willoughby South Rebels (1-1) on Friday at Dick Hamblin Field in Madison. Madison coming off a loss to rival Perry the week prior was looking to get into the win column, while the Rebels rolled the Cuyahoga Falls Black Tigers in their week one match up 34-0.
Two great programs, headed by two of the best and longest tenured coaches in Lake County, with the Blue Streaks Mike Gilligan who is in his sixth year as head coach and 20th year overall with Madison. South's Matt Duffy is in his 22nd season as the Rebels head coach. Both coaches running great systems, knowing what this win means early in this young season.
South's Matt Duffy before the game talked about getting the teams first win of the season last week. "It's nice for these guys to have gone out and get their first win in week one. Now they have to look towards today because this is a tough Madison team we are playing.
Madison won the toss, deferred and one of the wildest games of the week started.
South's first drive was marred by penalties and ultimately had to punt. Madison marched down the field and scored on a 4-yard James Poe touchdown run. The only score of the first quarter.
Madison was driving at the end of the first quarter and struck again, early in the second quarter as quarterback Will Randall Jr found receiver Tyler Alley for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The first of Randall's five touchdown passes on the night. Madison added to their lead on the next drive after stopping South, this time on a 41-yard touchdown between Will Randall Jr and Payton Birman with 8:21 left in the second and extending Madison's lead 20-0 after a failed two point attempt. Birman also had a once in a lifetime game, with 85 yards rushing, a touchdown and 145 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
South showed the fight they had in them on the next drive as running back Jayden Hardy capped off the drive with a tough 18-yard rushing touchdown diving for the pylon. The extra point was no good and South cut the deficit to 20-6. South would add a field goal on the next drive off the foot of senior Nick Barrus with 1:09 left in the half. Madison would not let South have the momentum going into the locker room and after a few ten-yard runs from running back James Poe, Will Randall Jr connected with senior Patrick Clark on a 26-yard touchdown pass with only seconds left in the half and the Blue Streaks went into the half leading 27-9.
The Rebels of Willoughby South showed toughness and determination coming out of the half as they stopped the Blue Streaks. South quarterback Luke Jensen would find Josh Jensen for a 15-yard touchdown. The Jensen to Jensen connection happened two more times in the game.
It was trading scores back and forth until the final whistle blew and Madison was victorious winning their first game of the season, 48-29
Madison's Coach Mike Gilligan talked about Will Randall Jr after the game. "He's a very good football player, there's no doubt about it. He puts a lot of time in his preparation with our offensive coordinator Mike Martin, and they do a lot of class room time all week long. He had the arm and our O-line really gave him some good protection, and our receivers got open and made some big plays."
The game looked to be one sided in the first half with Madison running away with it. Willoughby South never backed down, and put up a big fight in the second half, but Madison would not be denied tonight.
Madison will travel to South's cross town rival, the Eastlake North Rangers next week, while the Rebels will again be on the road facing off against the Brush Arcs. Both games will be on Friday September 5th, with 7:00 pm start times.
Players of the Game
Madison- QB Will Randall Jr- 15/21 280 yards 5 touchdowns
WR Payton Birman- 85 yards rushing 1 touchdown, 6 receptions 145 yards 2 touchdowns
Willoughby South- RB Jayden Hardy- 118 yards rushing 1 touchdown, 3 receptions 32 yards
WR Josh Jensen- 8 receptions 84 yards 3 touchdowns.
POSTED 08/30/2025 01:28
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Photo by Joey Schneider
