COTTAGE GROVE – Most thought it would be a clear blowout – which it did turn out to be. But there were a few hiccups along the way.
The unbeaten Lions were leading 7-0 in the first quarter when Madras was forced to punt. The ball bounced off a Cottage Grove player at his own 20-yard line, which the White Buffaloes recovered. Madras quickly capitalized on the opportunity with a 17-yard touchdown run. A two-point conversion followed the touchdown and the Lions – with a homecoming crowd on hand – were trailing 8-7 before they knew it.
Cottage Grove’s football team, playing in Class 3A this season after dropping down from Class 4A, continued its dream season by pulling away from Madras and winning 41-14 last Friday night. The Lions are 7-0 playing in Class 3A-SD3 Special District.
“What hurt us tonight was ourselves,” head coach Steve Turner said. “Stupid penalties, mistakes, fumbles, all those things that helped our opponents. They had that one long touchdown pass – kudos to them for that – but all the other ones, we gave them.”
Lions quarterback Gavin Grogan threw a 20-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter to make the score 14-8. Madras struck back when Gavin Williams rushed 63 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 14-14. Madras missed the extra-point attempt.
The Lions bore down after giving up the tying points; it would be Madras’ final points of the game.
Dewitt rushed for 197 yards – his longest run being 40 yards. Terran Stewart rushed for 59 yards and a touchdown and an extra point. He also had an 85-yard return touchdown. Gavin Grogan scored two touchdown catches and his brother Kaeden Grogan also scored two touchdown receptions. The Lions’ Nathin Lemon passed for 118 yards and three touchdowns.
“Generally, our second halfs are pretty strong,” Turner said.
Despite the lopsided score, Turner said that he’s not satisfied and is still trying to actively mitigate early game mistakes.
“Our goal has been to try and improve each and every week,” Turner said. “And you know, we still haven’t done that yet. We can play a lot better.”