General | August 25, 2018 | 22:04
DETROIT — Madison Heights Madison began its season Saturday in the city of Detroit. The Eagles hope to end their campaign in the big city, too.
Madison opened up the 2018 campaign in fine fashion, topping Center Line 60-6 at the 14th annual Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State University.
The Eagles have grand plans of making it to the state finals at Ford Field in three months and looked like a well-oiled machine. Madison lost in the Division 7 state semifinals last season to Saugatuck.
Khyron Franklin rushed for 103 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns in pacing the Eagles. Austin Brown, the Associated Press Division 7/8 Player of the Year in 2017, finished 9-for-14 passing for 133 yards and one passing touchdown while he had 115 yards on five carries and a score to earn the Game MOP honors.
Brown quickly gave the MOP trophy to Franklin.
"That kid works harder than anybody in the state," said Brown of Franklin. "He deserved it more than anybody and our offensive line is good. We have our line back this year and they deserve a lot of credit. We've all been waiting for this game all summer. We have bigger goals (of reaching the state finals). But this doesn't mean nothing yet. We hope to be back down here (in Detroit later this season)."
Despite being flagged for 10 penalties in the game, Madison looked like a well-oiled machine on offense. The Eagles scored on all five of its first-half drives and despite missing their first extra point attempt of the game, were in cruise control mode during the entire first half in building a commanding 34-0 advantage.
Brown, an old-school four-sport athlete at Madison, opened the scoring with a 38-yard touchdown sprint with 5:08 left in the opening frame and the Eagles were off to the races.
Brown hit Makai Johnson with a 33-yard touchdown strike 53 seconds before the end of the period for a 13-0 lead.
Franklin scored the Eagles' next three touchdowns on the ground, converting on runs of 7, 45, and 3 yards to help build the comfortable 34-point cushion at the half. Marvin Alkas-Shamoon connected on four extra points in the half.
"Last year we were more of a passing team. We knew we had to establish a running game, too, this year. I had to step up," said Franklin, who scored a career-best with the three TDs. "Our lines are great. They gave us (space) to run."
Madison coach James Rogers felt his team played up to its capabilities minus the rash of penalties.
"I expected us to do well. We have Austin and he's our leader and most of our lines are back," said Rogers. "We also have some depth. We have second string guys that could do well at other schools. We do have some younger guys at some of the skilled positions, which led to the penalties. But we can correct that."
Davon Sears spoiled to shutout when he blocked a punt and returned it 57-yards for the score with 6:18 left in the third quarter for Center Line (0-1). Sears earned the Center Line MOP after adding six tackles.
The Panthers, who posted their first winning season in 12 years in 2017 at 5-4, struggled to move the ball on a consistent basis and were flagged for 11 penalties for 66 yards. Center Line only had 31 yards on the ground after 10 rushes were for negative yardage.
Anthony Fuller scored on runs of 4 and 19 yards to cap the scoring for Madison. The Eagles collected 299 rushing yards and 148 passing yards.
BOX SCORE
MADISON HEIGHTS MADISON 60
CENTER LINE 6
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
F |
| MHM |
13 |
21 |
18 |
8 |
60 |
| CL |
0 |
0 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
SCORING DRIVES
1st Quarter
MHM — Austin Brown 38-yard touchdown run (5:08), kick failed, 6-0
MHM — Brown to Makai Johnson 33-yard touchdown pass (0:53), Marvin Alkas-Shamoon PAT, 13-0
2nd Quarter
MHM — Khyron Franklin 7-yard touchdown run (10:12), 20-0
MHM— Franklin 45-yard touchdown run (8:29), Alkas-Shamoon PAT, 27-0
MHM — Franklin 3-yard touchdown run (2:45), Alkas-Shamoon PAT, 34-0
3rd Quarter
MHM — Brown 57-yard touchdown run (9:38), kick failed, 40-0
CL — Davon Sears blocked punt, 57-yard return (6:18), run failed, 40-6
MHM — Anthony Fuller 19-yard touchdown run (5:14), kick failed, 46-6
MHM — Tanner Barndollar to Jamiere Albert 4-yard touchdown pass (2:07), kick failed, 52-6
4th Quarter
MHM — Anthony Fuller 4-yard touchdown run (1:03), Barndollar to Fuller 2-point conversion pass, 60-6
RECORDS — Madison Heights Madison 1-0; Center Line 0-1
