On a cold night that saw the defending State Champion (Madison Prep) match up against the previous defending State Champion (St. James) at historic Memorial Stadium, the Wildcats jumped out to a 7-0 lead.
That lead would not last long. Madison Prep QB Zeon Chriss would get the Chargers on the board on the next drive. Scoring on the option keeper from five yards out, off the left tackle.
The Prep defense would hold strong on the Wildcats next possession, forcing the punt.
Zeon Chriss again orchestrated another drive on a short field. This time punctuating the drive with a seven yard rushing touchdown putting the Chargers ahead by seven after the made point after try.
St. James trying to get back into the game and needing a spark tried an end around with their All-American wide receiver Shazz Preston. Preston was caught at the line of scrimmage, by Prep defensive end Quency Wiggins. Preston was able to escape the grasp of Wiggins, and forced to reverse field, in doing so, Preston was able to pick up the first down for St. James.
Wildcats QB MarQuell Bergeron was hit early and often tonight. The senior quarterback struggled to find his receivers on middle to deep throws and made plays with his feet or by throwing check downs to senior running back Daniel Jupiter. The running game for the Wildcats was used in all facets, the running back, the quarterback, and even the receivers all had carries tonight. They drove but would eventually come up short and would settle for a field goal. Making it a one score game.
Both teams would trade field position on punts. “Teams shouldn’t kick to me” said Prep ATH David Jones. “I’ll make them pay.”
Jones has been electric in the return game all year, especially in the past few weeks. Against Brusly Jones had the game winning kick return, against St. James, he had a huge punt return to set up a short field for the Chargers.
The Chargers looked to keep things rolling in the second quarter after getting the punt. Chriss took a 4th and 5, 30 yards on a quarterback draw down to the five yard line. One play later Tony Lewis would score. Making it a two possession game 21-10.
On their next drive, St. James QB Bergeron would be brought down by DE Quency Wiggins. The QB was tackled from behind by his belt loop, and pantsed, with all the weight of Wiggins dragging on him. Similar to the load of a horse collar tackle by not at the neck line. Bergeron would be slow to get up after the play, and the half would come to an end. 21-10
Madison Prep got the ball coming out after the half, Jones caught the ball and raced up the sideline on the return, giving the Chargers another short field to work with. Three plays later Chriss was in for the score from 26 yards out on the keeper. The point after was tipped at the line and was no good. 27-10
The Prep defense continued pressuring Bergeron, hit after hit. Eventually interrupting the timing of his throws with his receivers, causing his second interception of the contest. This time to Ervin Nicholson. Two plays later a fumble gave the ball back to the Wildcats.
The Wildcats moved into better field position via a roughing the passer penalty. Unfortunately Bergeron would leave the game due to that penalty, and not return. They’d go for it on fourth down, and Prep defensive end Wiggins, was there to make the stop and turnover on downs. End of the third quarter 27-10
The Chargers controlled the clock for most of the fourth quarter. With a mix of Zeon Chriss, Tony Lewis and Christian Early running the ball Prep had the ball for nearly nine minutes in the fourth quarter. Tony Lewis had a big run that went for 45 yards on a 4th and 1 that took him out of bounds. Finally Christian Early put the nail in the coffin with a touchdown from six yards out. The point after was no good. Final score 33-10
Madison Prep moves on St James goes home.
