Pre Clinic Dodgers Gain First Victory

By Steve McKenna

            After its second straight loss in as many weeks, Madisons’ Pre Clinic Dodgers had to make some adjustments. Coach Matt Ferris watched hours of game film and developed all new drills in practice, focusing on strengthening critical team weaknesses as they prepared for Saturdays game against Boonton.

             After winning the coin toss, the encouraged Dodgers took the field behind Coaches Anthony Contessa and Greg Colao, calling their first play. QB Ben Colao took charge and began an impressive march downfield, with handoffs to Gabe Artiglere, Robert Ferris, Chris Anderson and Andrew Boyd. The blocking up front proved crucial to their progress, with contributions by Mehki Crump, Will Baisch, Ronan McGinn and Michael Keller. At the Boonton 25, Colao handed off to speedster Anthony Contessa, who cut through the defense for the only score of the first half. Nick McKenna got the call for the extra point, making it 7-0. Boonton was driving slowly downfield late in the second quarter, but their last play before the half was shut down by drilling tackles led by Patrick Roelke, John Hanna and Artiglere.

            The Dodger defense stormed onto the field under the guidance of Coaches Steve Finelli and Steve McKenna, determined to deflect any threat to Madisons 7-0 lead. Vincent Finelli set the pace as his line of Justin Slabaugh, Elliot Dressler, Lenny Jandali and Artiglere proved impenetrable. On the occasional break through the line, the Dodger secondary held fast behind unyielding play by Collin Faraher, Markus Vali, Nate McKenna and Scotty Spelker. Late in the fourth QB Jared Barnes master mined a forth and long sweep to Anthony Contessa, who had plenty of prime Madison real estate to cover before crossing the goal line. Nick McKenna again weaved through the line for the extra point as Madison made it 14-0. Boontons last effort first went right, and was stopped at the line by Roelke and Spelker. They went left and were met by Cornerback Nate McKenna, who made a solo tackle for a boonton loss. Their final play was a sweep that had potential, but was foreclosed upon with a resounding cross field tackle by Artiglere, ending the game and preserving the 14-0 shutout. The 1-2 Pre Clinic Dodgers go on the road Saturday 9/28 to take on Denville at 3:30.