The Alternative Press

MADISON, NJ – Though football games aren’t played on paper, to most impartial observers of New Jersey high school football, this one seemed that it could be over before it even started. The Madison Dodgers, owners of a 29-game winning streak and ranked No. 15 in the state by the Star-Ledger, feature one of the state’s best all-around players in RB/DB Justin Goodwin. The Rutgers-bound star needed only six carries on Friday night to make his presence felt in a big way as the Dodgers exploded for 56 unanswered points before Jefferson even dented the scoreboard against Madison’s second and third-string defensive units.

Just as they did last week against Hackettstown, the Dodgers scored 42 first half points en route to an easy victory while running their season record to a perfect 5-0. Goodwin put Madison on the board early in the game with a beautiful 28-yard scoring scamper and it was all downhill from there for the Jefferson Falcons. While the Dodgers’ offense was unstoppable, the Madison defense did nothing but stop Jefferson’s sometimes potent aerial attack.

“It was Senior Night,” Madison senior Nick Haboj said. “We weren’t going to let up, especially on defense. Nobody has been able to really get down the field.”

The first half of Friday night’s match-up was the only time to actually compare the two starting units for both teams because by the time the first 24 minutes of play had expired, Madison was up 42-0 and none of their key players broke a sweat after halftime. With 21 points each in both the first and second quarters, the Dodgers quickly put to rest any semblance of a competitive game.

Goodwin notched two scoring runs, quarterback Clayton Lassiter added two touchdown rushes of his own while Layton Lassiter – Clayton’s brother – added a scoring run as did fullback Shone Register. The Dodgers have been an offensive juggernaut this season and have outscored their opponents by a whopping 204-46 margin. Friday night was no different and while most fans stayed into the fourth quarter, the second half featured not one Madison starter on the field. The junior varsity squad played the final half and because of the huge disparity on the scoreboard, the clock ran unstopped for the final 24 minutes, just as the Madison offense had for the first 24.

Goodwin racked up 72 yards on his six carries including the aforementioned two scores. Layton Lassiter rushed for another 89 yards on his five caries and Madison scored eight total rushing touchdowns from five different players, including two in the second half from junior varsity player David Luttinger. It was that type of night for Jefferson,
which never had a real shot at keeping the game close, mainly because Madison was so dominant defensively despite all of the offensive fireworks.

Jefferson quarterback J.R. Reese had no time at all to drop back into the pocket and pick out receivers, which is a crucial part of the Falcons’ offensive attack. Though Jefferson entered the game with a 2-3 record, Madison coach Chris Kubik and his defensive unit were certainly not taking Jefferson lightly or their talented quarterback for granted.
However, Madison set the tone on Jefferson’s first offensive play from scrimmage when Reese dropped back and was absolutely nailed on a sack from Will Mottola and Jaywon Brown. It was the type of statement that Madison fans have become accustomed to seeing out of their team. While the offense and Goodwin garner most of the headlines and attention for the breathtaking numbers and points they put up, it’s Madison’s defense that will ultimately determine whether the Dodgers continue this epic winning streak and also whether Madison can capture its third consecutive state title.

The Dodgers travel to Lenape Valley next weekend and look to run their season record to 6-0 and Madison will attempt to extend its winning streak to 31 straight games.