MADISON — The Madison Blue Streaks faced a tough loss on Friday night against the Holy Name Green Wave, falling short with a final score of 16-13. Coach Mike Gilligan expressed disappointment over the game, noting that his young team let a crucial victory slip through their fingers.
Despite the Blue Streaks’ strong offensive efforts, their inability to minimize mistakes proved costly. Gilligan acknowledged that the team had ample chances to secure the win but ultimately failed to capitalize. "We had every opportunity," he remarked. "We should’ve won it. Didn’t win it. Give them credit. They played really hard and made plays when they needed to make plays, but our mistakes killed us."
The game was marked by a series of blunders from Madison, including three fumbles and a blocked punt. However, the Blue Streaks managed to rally late in the game, trailing 16-3 with just over seven minutes remaining. They orchestrated a swift 36-yard drive, culminating in a touchdown run by junior Dom Gephart, which brought the score to 16-13.
With only 2:51 left on the clock, Madison regained possession and Gephart, who took several direct snaps, showcased his agility by rushing for 62 yards, bringing the team to the 1-yard line with just five seconds to spare. Unfortunately, on a crucial fourth down play, Gephart was stopped short of the end zone after both teams called timeouts. Gilligan pointed out a mental error on that play, saying, "They were loading up the right side and we thought we had good leverage to the left and we did."
Throughout the game, Madison demonstrated offensive prowess, outgaining Holy Name in yardage but consistently undermined by turnovers. The Blue Streaks had a promising start, with senior fullback Mason Nusker breaking free for a 40-yard run on their opening drive, only to fumble the ball away shortly after. Madison initially took a 7-0 lead when senior tailback Anthony Telenko scored on a 3-yard run after a defensive stand against the Green Wave.
However, Holy Name responded effectively, with tailback Colt Troy scoring two 1-yard touchdowns in the second quarter, turning the tide in favor of the visitors. The first touchdown was set up by a Madison fumble, which provided Holy Name with a short field. Troy’s second score just before halftime gave the Green Wave a 13-7 lead, shifting the momentum as both teams headed to the locker room.
Gilligan reflected on the impact of turnovers, stating, "You can’t beat a good team with three turnovers and a blocked punt. It’s a killer." Despite the defeat, Gephart and Telenko were standout performers for Madison, combining for a total of 256 rushing yards, with Gephart leading the way with 152 yards.
In total, Madison amassed 308 rushing yards compared to Holy Name’s 178. Gilligan praised his defense for their performance but reiterated the importance of capitalizing on opportunities. With a record of 1-2, the Blue Streaks will look to regroup as they prepare to host Chardon in their upcoming Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division opener. Meanwhile, Holy Name improved to 2-1 and will have a week off before facing Cleveland Central Catholic on September 18.
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