2 weeks Ago
Madison Prep’s Alfred McKnight (27) slips the tackle by University’s Erin Moore (6), Thursday, October 31, 2024, at BREC’s Memorial Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK University’s Lane Mixon (35) attempts to tackle Madison Prep quarterback Tylan Johnson (7), Thursday, October 31, 2024, at BREC’s Memorial Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK University’s DJ Coleman (8) tackles Madison Prep quarterback Tylan Johnson (7), Thursday, October 31, 2024, at BREC’s Memorial Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK Madison Prep quarterback Tylan Johnson (7) hands the ball off to Alfred McKnight (27) against University, Thursday, October 31, 2024, at BREC’s Memorial Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK Madison Prep’s Jeremiah Anderson (6) tackles University’s Sage Ingram (9) on the carry, Thursday, October 31, 2024, at BREC’s Memorial Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. STAFF PHOTO BY HILARY SCHEINUK Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save On a rainy night when weather affected the passing attack of both teams, Madison Prep used its running game to take charge against University High.
The Chargers pounded out 249 yards rushing and made two second-quarter touchdowns stand as they took control of District 6-3A with a 14-6 win over the Cubs on Thursday night at Memorial Stadium. U-High (7-2, 4-1) had a final shot to tie the game. With 2:32 left to play, the Cubs moved from their own 20 to the MPA 18.
The key play was a 42-yard completion from Emile Picarella to Ethan Kimmie at the U-High 19. The Cubs also converted a fourth down on Picarella's 21-yard toss to Zay Martin. That brought a first at the MPA 18, but the U-High momentum stalled.
Joshua Hebert intercepted Picarella's fourth-down pass as the Chargers held on. Madison Prep (6-3, 5-0) had a three-pronged rushing attack that ran the clock in the second half after the Chargers led 14-6 at the half. Alfred McKnight ran for two second-quarter touchdowns and finished with 135 yards.
Jeremiah Anderson rushed for 73 yards and quarterback Tylan Johnson added another 50 on the ground. Johnson completed 4 of 9 passes for 50 yards, including two in the last five minutes that helped the Chargers eat up five minutes of clock. The Cubs were led by running back Corbin Odell with 54 yards on 12 carries.
Picarella was 11 of 24 passing for 111 yards. At the start of the third quarter, Picarella directed the Cubs on a drive that carried inside the MPA 10. On fourth and-1 at the MPA 9, running back Alex Haynes was unable to handle a shotgun snap to end the threat.
U-High didn't get inside the MPA 10 again. Madison Prep struggled to move the ball in the first quarter. The Chargers had a trio of three-and-outs and had no early offensive rhythm.
U-High put together its only drive of the half midway through the opening quarter. On fourth and-1 at midfield, Alec Haynes took a direct snap 42 yards to the MPA 3. Haynes scored on the next play giving the Cubs a 6-0 lead.
The Chargers ground game began working in the second quarter. Running backs Jeremiah Anderson and Alfred McKnight began slashing through the Cubs defense, and the Chargers scored on McKnight's 22-yard run early in the second quarter. The extra point was blocked leaving the score tied 6-6.
Madison Prep moved 81 yards to score its next touchdown. Key plays were Keyon Robinson's 25-yard reception from Johnson and McKnight's 37-yard run. McKnight skirted left end for a 6-yard TD run, and Johnson ran in for the 2-point conversion.
U-High, which had only three first downs in the half, trailed 14-6 at halftime..
