Missed chances cost Stallions

Despite several large missteps on offense, the Edison-Fresno Tigers were able to pull off a 42-22 win against the Madera South Stallions, who failed to take advantage of the opportunities opened to them.

“We turned over the ball, too so that’s kind of a give and take,” said Madera South head coach Dane Cook. “I thought our defense played better last week. Not that we didn’t make mistakes, but I definitely saw an improvement.”

The game started off badly for the Stallions who, after receiving the kickoff, were forced to punt just four plays later.

Starting at Madera South’s 48-yard line, Edison’s Kavan Anderson put the Tiger’s into the red zone with a 38-yard run. The play was followed by a 10-yard touchdown run by McKinley Lee III, for the first score of the game.

Another punt resulted in another successful drive for Edison, with several big runs from Brian Johnson, who scored a 16-yard touchdown.

Madera South, however, rallied on its next drive. Starting on it own 15-yard line, Maurice McClain started the Stallions off with a 28-yard run. A face mask penalty gave the Stallions 15 more yards. On fourth down, Jonah Johnson converted for a first down and followed with a 33-yard touchdown run. A penalty on the extra point kick motivated Madera South to go for a two-point conversion, which was scored by a Johnson run.

Edison scored immediately after with a 42-yard run by Jimmy Gray.

The Stallions were forced to punt in the first drive of the second quarter, but held the Tigers with a turnover on downs. Failing to capitalize on the opportunity, Madera South was unable to score.

Another opening for Madera South was made shortly after when Mathew Manoz recovered a Tigers fumble. He would then score 6-yard touchdown run for the last score of the first half.

On Edison’s next possession, Juan Velasquez intercepted a Tigers’ pass. Johnson then hit McClain with a 16-yard pass to bring the ball to Edison’s 34-yard line, but the Stallions lost the ball on a fumble on the next play, missing their second opportunity of the night to score.

Madera South was given another chance to score at the start of the second half when Dionisio Rodriguez recovered the onside kick for the Stallions, but a fumble gave Edison the ball at their own 24-yard line. Madera South stopped the Tigers at its own 17-yard line, but was forced to punt on the drive.

The Tigers then scored on a 41-yard touchdown run by Lee.

Madera South scored its last touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, driving 71 yards. A 25-yard run by Jacob Kirkpatrick brought the Stallions down the field, and the drive was finished with a two-yard run by McClain.

Two more touchdowns in the last minutes of the game clinched it for Edison, ending the night with a 42-22 victory.