Madison 49, La Costa Canyon 34
The Division I semifinal playoff between the La Costa Canyon Mavericks and the Madison Warhawks brought us a dogfight like no other. The Warhawks came out on top, beating their opponents by a score of 49-34 who now advance into the championship game against the St. Augustine Saints.
The game started off well for the Warhawks when Isaiah Osborne picked up an 18-yd TD run. The Mavericks fought back, but could not put the ball in the end zone, picking up three points from a 28-yd FG. The Warhawks got on the board a second time right after when- Silver Pigskin Finalist- Kareem Coles ran the ball four yards into the end zone.
In the 2nd quarter, after a short drive the Mavericks picked up a second FG. The Warhawks meanwhile scored their 3rd TD through a 48-yd run by Isaiah Osborne. Moments later they scored yet again when Kareem Coles found Elijah Thomas with a 15-yard pass. Towards the end of the quarter, Dustin Laubacher bulldozed through defenders for a 13-yd TD to keep the Mavericks in the game at the half.
At the start of the 3rd quarter, Maverick’s QB Duke Mackle found Connor Raffety with a 12-yd TD pass. The Warhawks had other plans though, answering immediately through a 5-yd QB keeper TD.
Drama came in the 4th quarter when Isaiah Osborne found the end zone after ripping through his opponents with a 20- yard run. The Mavericks would not give up after Zack Goodkin ran the ball into the end zone. Late in the quarter, Isaiah Osborne – 220 rushing yards- buried his opponents after a screaming 30-yd run. There was late drama as the Mavericks scored a 95-yard kick return although it was too little too late. The Warhawks picked up a TD in the dying moments to put the icing on the cake; QB Kareem Coles raking in an astounding total of 382 yards on the night.
Madison now moves onto their championship match up against St. Augustine. The last time these two faced each other in a championship game was two years ago; Madison beat St. Augustine by a score of 35-21 in that game. As for the Mavericks, they should be proud of the character they showed in keeping this game alive until the dying minutes, giving the Warhawks a run for their money.
