A fourth-quarter offensive surge helps lift Madison over Highland in big conference clash

REXBURG – The first 6A High Country Conference showdown of the season came down to the fourth quarter between Madison and Highland.

Madison’s defense has already established itself through the first part of the year. It was another stellar defensive effort by the Bobcats on Friday, but throw in a fourth quarter where the offense scored on all three possessions, and the end result was a 17-6 win by the Bobcats to open conference play.

“That’s huge for us,” Madison coach Matt Pancheri said. “It’s playoff game, playoff game, playoff game for us. You can’t lose at this point. Winning at home is super important. That’s our last home game so now we got to go do it on the road.”

With the win, plus Rigby’s victory over Thunder Ridge, the Bobcats and Trojans are in the driver’s seat for the conference title and playoff positioning.

Highland’s defense shut out Madison over the first three quarters, and kicker Bridger Hanks did his job, booting field goals of 38 and 50 yards.

The precarious 6-0 advantage held through the third quarter, despite an interception by Madison’s Jace Johnson and a couple of missed field goals by the Bobcats.

But things changed in the fourth.

The Bobcats put together a 75-yard drive that was capped by a 5-yard touchdown run Johnson.

The PAT gave Madison the 7-6 lead.

Johnson wasn’t done, scoring from 28 yards out on the Bobcats’ next possession.

“I got the ball and I did what I do,” Johnson said. “I saw a hole and hit it and ran as fast as I could.”

Quarterback Jett Walker, along with running back Brennen Dredge, controlled the fourth quarter and connected with Bodee Grover for a couple of long pass plays that kept the Madison offense on the field.

Brenner Stoddard closed the scoring with a 32-yard field goal and Treygon Weekes sealed the win with an interception.

“We struggled to make plays, especially in the first half,” Pancheri said. “I think our kids responded, we shut them out in the second half … We just got to quit shooting ourselves in the foot.”

Johnson credited the offensive line for the Bobcats’ late surge.

“This could be it,” Johnson said of the early deficit and potentially digging a hole with two more conference games remaining.

Madison (6-1, 1-0) is at Thunder Ridge next week and concludes the regular season Oct. 23 at Rigby.

Highland (3-4, 0-1) hosts Rigby next week in a likely must-win game for the Rams’ postseason hopes. Highland entered the week No. 7 in the 6A MaxPreps rankings. Madison was No. 6. Rigby was No. 2.