Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Division III State Bowl: Madison vs Escalon

Rain washes out Madison’s speed, state title hopes

CARSON – After a section title run fueled by speed and big plays, rain and a physical opponent washed out Madison in the Division III State Bowl. The Warhawks lost 30-14 to the Escalon Cougars on a wet Saturday afternoon at the Home Depot Center.

“The conditions made it tough for us to play our style of football,” said Madison head coach Rick Jackson.

Swamp-like field conditions and a physical, run-first Escalon team proved to be the perfect storm against Madison (12-2). Playing in rain for the first time all season, the Warhawks’ high-octane attack screeched to a halt.

“Obviously the rain took us out of what we wanted to do. That affected the way we played the game,” Jackson said. “It limited our stretching the field – we couldn’t get the ball out there.”

Towards the end of a sloppy first quarter, Madison’s defense came up with the first big play of the game, stopping Escalon (14-1) on a fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line. The Cougars scored on the very next play, however, when Warhawks back Jeremy Hutchison mishandled a shotgun snap and was forced to fall on it in the end zone for a safety.

“Madison wasn’t used to rain and this kind of weather,” said Escalon running back/linebacker Josh Miguel. “They play in San Diego with nice weather and we have been playing in cold, wet weather all year.”

After Escalon extended its lead to with a Miguel six-yard touchdown run, Madison finally broke through with a big play. Quarterback Chase Knox hit receiver Kevon Mitchell on a middle screen and Mitchell took it 40 yards for a touchdown, outrunning the Escalon defense.

“We couldn’t run good routes and we couldn’t use our athleticism in certain situations,” Jackson said. “We still tried, but it didn’t work out.”

In the face of pouring rain as the first half came to a close, Madison wilted with fumbles on consecutive drives that led to a pair of Escalon touchdowns. The second touchdown – a 60-yard pass from Gino Franceschetti to receiver Brandon Shaw – came right after a Hutchison fumble and put Madison in a 23-7 hole at the half.

“The game kind of played into their hands and they capitalized when they had to,” Jackson said. “They scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes and that was a backbreaker.”

Late in the third quarter and still trailing by 16, Madison used a fake punt to move into Escalon territory. But on fourth-and-10 from the Cougars’ 11-yard line, Knox lost his third fumble of the game to end any chance of a Warhawks comeback.

“When we came out, it was coming down hard. I felt the ball and it was a lot different and a lot more slippery, but that was something I had to adjust to,” Knox said.

With time winding down in the fourth quarter, Escalon punctuated its win with a Franceschetti six-yard touchdown run. Madison added a score in the final minute – a 13-yard pass from Knox to tight end Akeem Woodson – that offered little consolation in its 30-14 loss.

“It was wet all over the field but there’s no excuse,” Knox said. “We came out and we didn’t play our best football.”

Coming in averaging 38 points per game, Madison was held to their lowest point total of the season. The Warhawks finished the game with 218 yards and five turnovers in failing to bring home the section’s first Division III state title.

“If everything was equal, I feel like we would be a lot more competitive,” Jackson said.

While Madison sputtered in the inclement weather, Escalon thrived. The Cougars rushed for 216 yards and had the ball for twice as long as the Warhawks.

“We definitely played with a chip on our shoulders,” Miguel said. “We heard we were predicted to lose by three touchdowns and we had a statement to come out and prove tonight. We showed everybody what Escalon football is all about.”

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all

Previous article

Reader writer Chris Ahrens tells the story of Windansea

The shack is a landmark declaring, “The best break in the area is out there.”

Rain washes out Madison’s speed, state title hopes

CARSON – After a section title run fueled by speed and big plays, rain and a physical opponent washed out Madison in the Division III State Bowl. The Warhawks lost 30-14 to the Escalon Cougars on a wet Saturday afternoon at the Home Depot Center.

“The conditions made it tough for us to play our style of football,” said Madison head coach Rick Jackson.

Swamp-like field conditions and a physical, run-first Escalon team proved to be the perfect storm against Madison (12-2). Playing in rain for the first time all season, the Warhawks’ high-octane attack screeched to a halt.

“Obviously the rain took us out of what we wanted to do. That affected the way we played the game,” Jackson said. “It limited our stretching the field – we couldn’t get the ball out there.”

Towards the end of a sloppy first quarter, Madison’s defense came up with the first big play of the game, stopping Escalon (14-1) on a fourth-and-goal from the two-yard line. The Cougars scored on the very next play, however, when Warhawks back Jeremy Hutchison mishandled a shotgun snap and was forced to fall on it in the end zone for a safety.

“Madison wasn’t used to rain and this kind of weather,” said Escalon running back/linebacker Josh Miguel. “They play in San Diego with nice weather and we have been playing in cold, wet weather all year.”

After Escalon extended its lead to with a Miguel six-yard touchdown run, Madison finally broke through with a big play. Quarterback Chase Knox hit receiver Kevon Mitchell on a middle screen and Mitchell took it 40 yards for a touchdown, outrunning the Escalon defense.

“We couldn’t run good routes and we couldn’t use our athleticism in certain situations,” Jackson said. “We still tried, but it didn’t work out.”

In the face of pouring rain as the first half came to a close, Madison wilted with fumbles on consecutive drives that led to a pair of Escalon touchdowns. The second touchdown – a 60-yard pass from Gino Franceschetti to receiver Brandon Shaw – came right after a Hutchison fumble and put Madison in a 23-7 hole at the half.

“The game kind of played into their hands and they capitalized when they had to,” Jackson said. “They scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes and that was a backbreaker.”

Late in the third quarter and still trailing by 16, Madison used a fake punt to move into Escalon territory. But on fourth-and-10 from the Cougars’ 11-yard line, Knox lost his third fumble of the game to end any chance of a Warhawks comeback.

“When we came out, it was coming down hard. I felt the ball and it was a lot different and a lot more slippery, but that was something I had to adjust to,” Knox said.

With time winding down in the fourth quarter, Escalon punctuated its win with a Franceschetti six-yard touchdown run. Madison added a score in the final minute – a 13-yard pass from Knox to tight end Akeem Woodson – that offered little consolation in its 30-14 loss.

“It was wet all over the field but there’s no excuse,” Knox said. “We came out and we didn’t play our best football.”

Coming in averaging 38 points per game, Madison was held to their lowest point total of the season. The Warhawks finished the game with 218 yards and five turnovers in failing to bring home the section’s first Division III state title.

“If everything was equal, I feel like we would be a lot more competitive,” Jackson said.

While Madison sputtered in the inclement weather, Escalon thrived. The Cougars rushed for 216 yards and had the ball for twice as long as the Warhawks.

“We definitely played with a chip on our shoulders,” Miguel said. “We heard we were predicted to lose by three touchdowns and we had a statement to come out and prove tonight. We showed everybody what Escalon football is all about.”

Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Madison Soaring to Success Despite Inexperience

Next Article

Semifinals High Five

Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader