State playoffs: Madison running game comes through in a 21-14 first-round win over Capital

REXBURG – As usual, the Madison defense stepped up on Friday night.

Add in a solid rushing attack and the Bobcats’ balance was on full display in a 21-14 win over Capital in the opening round of the 6A state playoffs.

Coach Matt Pancheri said the priority entering the game was to run the ball and then run it some more. He noted in the team’s two losses to end the regular season, especially a 35-3 loss to rival Rigby, the Bobcats’ didn’t play their game.

“We weren’t physical enough,” Pancheri said.

That wasn’t the case Friday, especially down the stretch with the game still in the balance.

Madison (7-3) trailed 7-0 after the Eagles put together an impressive drive in the first quarter.

The lead lasted just about 10 seconds as Brennen Dredge sprinted around the right side and past the Capital defense for an 80-yard score.

That seemed to light a spark for the Bobcats as the defense forced punts on the next two possessions and pressured the Eagles’ dynamic quarterback Quincey Clay.

Madison took a 14-7 lead as Jace Johnson scored from 7-yards out late in the second quarter.

The lead wouldn’t last as Capital, led by Clay, drove 80 yards on six plays on its first possession of the third to tie the game.

Madison finally came up with the big play it had been looking for when Jacob Wilkes picked off a Clay pass in the red zone.

Starting at the Capital 7-yard line, Madison turned to its run game, with Hawke Cordero carrying the load.

Dredge, who was the workhorse in the first half, was slowed by a leg injury, but Cordero ran the ball on eight straight plays following a penalty, and capped the drive with a 1-yard TD run with 2:00 left to give Madison a 21-14 lead.

Madison’s defense ended Capital’s final drive with a stop in the closing minute to force a turnover on downs.

“Our kids were super tough,” Pancheri said, noting the rain didn’t make things easy. “I’m super proud of the defense.”

Capital (5-5) had scored 112 points in its previous two games and the 14 points was a season-low for the Eagles.

Dredge finished with 176 yards rushing, most coming in the first half, and Cordero added 134 yards, most coming in the second half.

Dredge said he suffered a deep thigh bruise early in the second half and also had a sore knee, but the duo did its job in the running game.

“The defense has been carrying us through games,” Dredge said. “We’ve been working … we were ready to pick up the ball and get moving.”

The Bobcats play at rival Rigby on Friday. The Trojans, the No. 2 seed, had a bye on Friday.