Notching a pair of second half touchdowns in last week’s 47-14 loss to Kingston in the battle of Marshall County, the Madill Wildcats saw a lot of positives for their very young squad.
The Wildcats managed to build some momentum with their best offensive production of the season heading into another district battle on the road this week at Star Spencer in Oklahoma City.
“It was an exceptional nightforus,”saidMadillhead coach WadeCouch. “Wewere able to get a couple onside kicks and take advantage of those. We also generated some positivity defensively.
“The first half was tough. Kingston is awfully good and Coach Hill was very gracious. We were able to do some good things against their younger guys and I was really proud of our team. We had some success in the option game and our offensive line communication was more consistent, even in the first half against their starting unit. Our freshmen and sophomores are coming on every week.”
The going was tough initially as Kingston cruised to a 27-0 first quarter lead sparked by a 70-yard touchdown run on the Redskins’ first play from scrimmage.
Madill came up with the first of three Kingston turnovers on a fumble recovery by Rodrigo Cruces to thwart another drive at the Wildcat 30 three minutes into the second period. Brylon Gibson also recovered a second Redskin fumblewithtwominutes to play before intermission.
Kingston threw a touchdown pass on the first series of the second half to extend the margin to 40-0 but Madill neverwaveredandcontinued to battle, coming up with the thirdturnovermomentslater whenDaytonGimenezpicked off a pass that was deflected by Cruces.
That turnover set up a nifty 35-yard touchdown run by Bentley James and Jefferson Ramirez knocked through the extra point.
TheWildcatsimmediately recovered an onside that Cruces jumpedonattheKingston 40. James bolted 23 yards to keep the march alive and then also scored his second touchdown,barrelingintothe end zone on the opening play of the fourth quarter.
“Bentley had several really nice runs and Karl King came in and played well in the backfield as well,” Couch said. “The offensive line did a solid job of being consistent with Lozano, Robinson and Rodriguez leading the way. That was really encouraging. We also saw some great things defensively and came up with three turnovers as well as the onside kick.”
Next on the slate is Star Spencer, which is a similar youth movement as Madill after starting eight freshmen and several sophomores during a winless campaign in 2025.
The Bobcats have fed off that experience though with a 4-2 record overall, including a 20-14 district triumph at Seminole last week.
“Star Spencer is very athletic,” Couchadded.“Theyare fairly simple and not really complex but we have our hands full with their athleticism, whichmakesthemhard to defend. We have to be consistent offensively and rally to the ball defensively. Their running back and receivers are awfully quick and they like to throw it deep. The weather definitely could be a factor because it is supposed to be wet.”