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Sports

Set to Defend: Dodgers Headed Back to Finals

Dodgers stop Chatham in state semifinal matchup.


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Madison (10-0)

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As Yogi Berra once said, "it's déjà vu all over again." 

The Madison football team earned the chance to defend its North 2, Group II title by stopping cross-town rival Chatham, 29-0, on Saturday afternoon at Ted Monica Stadium in the semifinals of the sectional playoffs.

The Madison offense was once again led by running back Justin Goodwin, who totaled 215 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. The junior rushed for 168 yards and three scores on 16 touches, and added two catches for another 47 yards.

For a full photo gallery from Saturday's game, click here.

Goodwin, who also fumbled- added an interception and a pass deflection late in the game to help a defensive unit that allowed Chatham just 49 total yards and notched four sacks for a loss of 19 yards.

The constant defensive pressure resulted in a couple of botched snaps, leading to three turnovers and minus 26 yards. In addition, the Dodgers forced eight Chatham punts including six three-and-outs.

It was the second time this season that these divisional foes faced off, with .

The Dodgers get set to face Summit, who beat Caldwell 30-24 in the other semifinal matchup on Saturday, in the championship game.That game is slated for either Dec. 2 or Dec. 3, with a start time TBA. Ironically, it was Summit that last defeated Madison, 23-14, way back on Nov. 21, 2009.

Saturday's tilt started out on the wrong foot for the home team as Chatham started the game with a short kick in an effort to keep the ball out of Goodwin's hands. The result was a Chatham recovery at Madison's 38-yard line.

That, however, was the best field position the Cougars would have all day.

On Chatham's first play from scrimmage, Dylan Adams fumbled and Shone Register recovered, but Register fumbled trying to extend the return and it was the visitors' ball again -albeit after an 18-yard loss.

"I was frustrated with us giving up the ball and not getting opportunities," said Madison head coach Chris Kubik. "It was a little frustrating, we kind of made some mistakes, but we weathered the storm and took care of what we needed to."

The teams traded punts on the first three possessions before the Dodgers drew first blood. Starting at their own 49, Register ran for two yards on first down, Dilan Kluge added a four run, and Goodwin followed with five more for a first down.

On the next play, Goodwin broke a 40-yard touchdown run to give Madison a 7-0 lead with 54 seconds remaining in the opening stanza.

"You just get used to it," Kubik said of Goodwin's play. "He's been doing great things for a long, long time. He's been playing since he was a freshman. I don't know if you take it for granted, but you just get used to it and you kind of expect it."

After a three-and-out from Chatham, Goodwin struck again, this time, on a 57-yard TD scamper. After a successful two-point conversion the scoreboard read 15-0 in favor of Madison with just over 10 minutes to play in the half.

"We wanted to put a little distance in between," Kubik said of his decision to go for two. "We thought we had something there and we wanted to make them have to go for two if the game got close."

Another three-and-out followed from the Cougars, but on Madison's ensuing play something bizarre happened -- Goodwin fumbled.

The teams traded punts and eventually Madison got the ball with 48 seconds left in the half at Chatham's 48-yard line. A beautiful one-handed catch from Goodwin advanced the ball eight yards and on the next play he hauled in a 39-yard pass -despite tight defense- which made it first and goal from the one with eight seconds remaining.

Following a spike to kill the clock, however, Goodwin was stopped for no gain as time expired.

"When he makes a mistake he makes up for it," Kubik said of Goodwin. "He's a determined player and when something bad happens he'll make something good happen."

"They made a good play, it's frustrating," Kubik added. "(A touchdown before the half) could have been a momentum changer but the kids weathered the storm. You'd like to punch that in, it could have been a back-breaker for them but their kids played hard and made a play."

Chatham failed to record a first down in the third quarter -thanks to a three-and-out and a fumble recovery by linebacker Devin Koep- and Madison missed a 29-yard field goal to end the third quarter.

"My defensive line and linebackers are outstanding," Kubik said. "They're the reason wy are where we are. They've been tremendous."

Quarterback Carson Lassiter, who finished 2-for-3 with 47 yards through the air and rushed for 24 yards on five carries, punched in a one-yard TD late in the fourth quarter and Goodwin chipped in a 30-yard touchdown run on the following Dodger possession to lead Madison to the 29-0 win.

Register finished with 53 yards on 11 touches.

Michael Finelli led the stingy defense with six tackles, including three sacks. Matt McDonald added five tackles and Nick Haboj had five tackles including a sack for Madison, which will play its final regular-season game at Millburn at 11 a.m. on Thanksgiving.

If you think that Kubik will take it easy in an effort to rest his team for the championship game, you better think again.

"No we're not (resting starters)," he said adamantly. "We're going to win the game. We're going to play this game; if the game gets out of hand then we'll sit some people. We've been beaten by them before a few years ago and we're playing for 12-0. We're not sitting anybody until the game gets to where we're comfortable, but we have to get there first. Millburn plays hard against us in the beginning and every year we're battling them. We're going to hit them with everything we've got."

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