MADRID - A 16-year streak of playoff football is in serious jeopardy for Madrid after falling to Earlham 28-20 Friday in Madrid.
This Class A District 8 tilt was a hard fought, hotly contested affair that ended with one team elated, and the other in tears after a last minute drive by Madrid died one yard short of a first down on the Earlham 20-yard line with only a few seconds remaining.
"Despite all our mistakes we were still in the game in the closing minutes," Madrid coach Randy Hinkel said. "I am most proud of the fact that our kids didn't give up and battled their way back into the game."
Madrid was battling from behind right away as an early fumble recovered by Earlham led to a Jake Slusher touchdown run and a 7-0 lead.
Earlham's Cody Aldrich made it 14-0 with 3:52 left in the first quarter on a 4th-and-2 run and Madrid could never quite catch up after that. Madrid had two turnovers in the first half while Earlham had none.
"In a game like this, turnovers can make all the difference, and that was evident tonight," Hinkel said. "Once we got a few to go our way in the second half, we were able to get back in the game."
Earlham fumbled on its first two possessions of the second half, both resulting in Madrid touchdown drives that cut the score to 14-12.
Fullback Caleb Blattel found pay dirt first for the Tigers from two yards out with 7:34 left in the third quarter, but the ensuing extra point was blocked, leaving Madrid trailing by eight points. After the next Earlham fumble, some determined running by Tony Simmer put Madrid in position to score again from the 2-yard line. Blattel got the call once more and his second score of the quarter cut the deficit to two. Simmers' conversion run was just short, leaving Madrid down by two entering the final quarter.
The fourth quarter began with a Daniel Ory touchdown for Earlham, increasing the Cardinal lead to two scores, but Madrid fought back with another Blattel touchdown run with just under six minutes to go in the fourth, bringing them within 21-20.
With the clock winding down and Earlham driving, Hinkel decided their only chance would be to allow a score and play for overtime. Ory's second touchdown and the subsequent extra-point kick gave Earlham an eight point cushion, setting the stage for Madrid's last gasp comeback.
"We figured if we couldn't stop them that the next best thing to do was get the ball back with some time on the clock to score," Hinkel said. "We aren't a team that can throw the ball down the field so we needed a little time to have a chance."
The Tigers were able to drive down the Earlham 20 but the fourth-down play came up just short, and with it likely Madrid's playoff chances.
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Madrid 0 0 13 7 - 20
First Quarter
E- Slusher run (Hansen kick)
E - Aldrich run (Hansen kick)
Third quarter
M - Caleb Blattel 2 yd run (kick failed)
M - Blattel 2 run (run failed)
Fourth quarter
E- Ory 2 run (Hansen kick)
M - Blattel 3 run (Matthewson run)
E- Ory 7 run (Hansen kick)
