Early fireworks power Bethany past Madill

A strong offensive showing in the first half propelled the visiting Bethany Broncos over the host Madill Wildcats 56-28 in a November 1 game at Blake Smiley Stadium.

The game, which was played on Madill’s senior night, saw another senior, Bethany quarterback Sam Brandt steal the show with a poised performance. Brandt completed all ten of his passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns. Brandt also ran for 60 yards on three attempts including one for a touchdown.

Behind Brandt and running backs Nathan Jones (seven carries, 89 yards, two touchdowns) and Jaden Gilliland (seven carries, 83 yards), Bethany built a 42-6 lead at halftime.

Madill head football coach Todd Vargas said they knew Bethany was the number one team in Class 4A for a reason.

“They are very talented on both sides of the ball,” he said. “We didn’t play very well the first half. Some of that was because of them, some of that was because of us.”

The visitors started with the ball. After a loss of two on their first play scrimmage, the Bronchos got on the board. Jones took the ball 54 yards down the middle for the game’s first touchdown with 11:09 to go in the first. A kick by Hayden Stoops was good giving Bethany a 7-0 lead.

On the next drive, a return by Jarod Fields allowed Madill to start on their own 32-yard line. The Wildcats initially attacked though Venable as the fullback had carries of nine, zero, four and three yards on the drive. However, his last run would end the drive as Madill turned the ball over on downs.

As a result, Bethany would get the ball back at their own

48. Brandt completed a 16-yard pass to wide receiver Ben Lawson who was stopped at the Madill 36. On the next play, Gilliland would carry the ball for another two yards.

Brandt then fumbled on the next play, but he was able to recover the loose ball and scampered to the Madill fiveyard line. On the next play Brandt passed to wide receiver Ben Lawson for a five-yard touchdown pass. Stoops added an extra point kick to make it Bethany 14, Madill 0.

Madill started their next drive at their own five-yard line following a bobbled catch on the kick return. The Wildcats moved the ball up to their own 17-yard line when disaster struck. A pitch back to Mateo Fajardo went past the senior running back. Fajardo ran to secure the ball as it headed toward the endzone. Fajardo regained possession briefly before fumbling in the end zone, which Bethany recovered for a touchdown with 4:12 to go in the first quarter. Bethany’s lead increased to 21- 0 following a successful extra point kick by Stoops.

Madill’s next drive end after another turnover. This time the Wildcats ran a reverse for senior Asa Robertson who passed the ball downfield. Robertson’s throw was intercepted by Bethany senior defensive back Ethan Rothwell at the Bethany 33.

The Bronchos would capitalize when Brandt found a hole and ran 47-yards for a touchdown. Stoops would add another kick to make it 28, Madill 0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Brochos would get the ball back a few minutes later following a rare fumble by Madill’s John Venable at the Bethany 49. Running back Nathan Jones would cap the drive with an eight-yard touchdown run. A kick by Stoops made it 35-0 in favor of the visitors.

Bethany would score once more before halftime. Brandt connected with receiver Jordan Flinton for a four-yard touchdown with 6:09 to go. A successful extra point kick by Stoops made it Bethany 42, Madill 0.

The Wildcats were able to put some points on the board before halftime.

Madill started their final possession of the first half at their own 31. Sophomore quarterback Kendall Robertson ran 14 yards to 45-yard line. Then, Venable gained three yards on the next play. Venable followed that with a pickup of 12 yards to the Bethany 43.

On the next play, the Wildcats picked up 21 yards due to a pass interference on Bethany’s Gray Adams.

The call came on a pass from Kendall Robertson intended for Asa Robertson.

The Wildcats used their run game to inch closer to the Bronchos’ goaline before Venable was able to punch in a two-yard touchdown run. Fajardo’s extra point attempt was tipped as Flinton slid past the Madill offensive line. The kick came close to going through the uprights before thudding into an upright leaving the score Bethany 42, Madill 6.

Not done yet

At halftime, Vargas said he told the team not to feel sorry for themselves or place blame.

“We just challenged them to come out play like you are capable,” he said.

Madill was able to fight back and score 22 points in the second half.

“But I was very proud of our kids for coming out second half,” he said. “I thought they played well. We scored multiple times.”

Madill received the ball first to start the second half. They started at their own 28-yard line. Venable’s runs would carry the offensive into Bethany territory.

Then the drive nearly stalled out as the Wildcats faced a fourth and three at the Bethany 42. However, Kendall Robertson kept the drive alive with a 21-yard run to the Bethany 21-yard line. Two plays later, Kendall Robertson would complete a 20-yard touchdown pass to freshman tight end River Shaw with 0:51 to go in the third quarter. The two would connect again moments later on a successful two-point pass complete to make it Bethany 42, Madill 14.

Vargas said although Shaw is listed as both a defensive and offensive lineman with the varsity team, he has been playing tight end with the junior varsity squad.

“His future is at tight end,” Vargas said. “We haven’t had a weapon at that position. And you can see he can catch the ball.”

The Bronchos rumbled back with a score of their own as Brandt completed a 42-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Brendan Hughey with 10:44 to go in the fourth. The kick was good to give Bethany a 49-14 advantage.

Later in the quarter, the Madill defense recovered a Bethany fumble to set up shop at the Bethany 39.

Then, Venable took it 16 yards to the Bethany 23. Kendall Robertson followed that with a nine-yard gain. Venable finished off the drive with a 15-yard touchdown run with 6:50 to go. Fajardo’s kick was good to cut the deficit to 49-21.

Bethany took over at their own 30 and Gray Adams took over at quarterback. The drive would end with a oneyard touchdown run by Jack Gilliland with 3:36 to go in fourth. This time the Bethany kick was taken and made by Brendan Huey, moving the score to 55-21.

On the next Madill possession, freshman Ty Rushing took over at quarterback for the Wildcats. Senior Jerod Fields ran the ball 28 yards to the Bethany 33. Two plays later, Rushing threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to freshman receiver R.J. Morris with 1:57 to go in the fourth. Fajardo’s kick was good to make it Bethany 56, Madill 28, which would be the final score.

UP NEXT:

The loss dropped Madill drops to 3-6 overall and 2-4 in district play. Meanwhile, Bethany improved to 9-0 overall and 6-0 in district.

Madill will travel to Tecumseh for their final game of the season Friday, November 8 at 7:30 p.m. Their hosts are 6-3 overall and 4-2 in district.

Meanwhile, Bethany will look to complete a perfect regular season as it hosts winless McLoud.