Propelled by a strong first half, Madison downs Bonneville 41-6

REXBURG – Madison coach Chandler Rhoads said anterior to Friday’s play opener against Bonneville that nan extremity was to group nan reside early, found nan homefield advantage, and beryllium physical.

That mightiness sound for illustration emblematic coach speak, but erstwhile it works, it works.

The Bobcats put up 34 first-half points and rolled to a 41-6 non-conference triumph complete nan Bees.

“Playing Week 0 is reliable because there’s not a batch of believe time,” Rhoads said. “We person 1 week of autumn campy and nan adjacent week’s crippled week. You benignant of get thrown correct into nan fire, but I was really pleased really our kids came retired and group nan reside physically successful nan first half.”

The Bobcats scored connected their first possession arsenic nan discourtesy put together a crisp seven-play thrust that was capped by a nine-yard scoring tally by Bryce Dredge.

The defense group up nan adjacent score, forcing a fumble heavy successful Bonneville territory. Quarterback Hazen Torgerson capitalized pinch a one-yard run.

Despite a downpour for nan overmuch of nan first half, nan Madison discourtesy didn’t slow down.

Torgerson added different rushing people and past recovered Baden Wheeler for a 32-yard touchdown pinch 23 seconds near successful nan half.

“We weren’t ready,” Bonneville coach Shane Stephenson said, noting location were immoderate opening time jitters from immoderate of nan younger players and excessively galore mistakes against a bully Madison team.

The bully news is that everything is fixable, he said.

“I’m not worried,” he said. “We’ll beryllium fine. We conscionable person to attraction connected immoderate fundamentals.”

The Bees’ violative item came successful nan 3rd 4th arsenic Eli Hamilton deed Jaxon Ellsworth successful nan near broadside of nan extremity area for a 12-yard score. Ellsworth outjumped defenders to make nan play.

Bonneville is astatine defending authorities champion Bishop Kelly adjacent Friday while Madison hosts Hillcrest.