The Madrid Tigers celebrated homecoming night Friday, October 9, defeating Martensdale-St. Mary’s, 34-21, at Madrid High School to clinch the 2026 district title.
The Tigers marched down the field on their opening possession, capping the drive with a 23-yard touchdown run by Kole Deppe.
Deppe added the extra point for a 7-0 lead.
Just 20 seconds later, Martensdale-St. Mary’s broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run to tie the contest, 7-7.
Madrid responded with another lengthy scoring drive later in the opening quarter.
Jevyn Severson punched in a 1-yard touchdown run, and Deppe’s extra point gave the Tigers a 14-7 lead after one quarter.
The Tigers extended their advantage before halftime when Will Atkinson scored on a 3-yard touchdown run.
Deppe’s kick was good, sending Madrid into the locker room with a 21-7 lead.
Martensdale-St. Mary’s opened the second half with a 3-yard touchdown run and successful extra point to trim the deficit to 21-14.
Madrid answered with another sustained drive that began in the third quarter and carried into the fourth quarter.
Atkinson capped the march with an 8-yard touchdown run.
The extra point was unsuccessful, and Deppe exited the game because of a knee issue, leaving the score at 27-14.
Backup quarterback Emerson Bridgewater connected with Max Fowler on a 7-yard touchdown pass, and the extra point pushed Madrid’s lead to 34-14.
Martensdale-St. Mary’s added a late touchdown, but the Tigers remained comfortably in front the rest of the way.
Atkinson led the way with 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.
Deppe added 95 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries, while Bridgewater rushed for 73 yards on 13 attempts.
Severson contributed 12 rushing yards and a score.
Deppe completed 3 of 4 passes for 28 yards.
Bridgewater completed 1 of 3 passes, with his lone completion resulting in the touchdown to Fowler.
Logan Bogardus led Madrid receivers with two catches for 22 yards.
Fowler’s only reception was the touchdown catch, while Bridgewater added a 6-yard reception.
Defensively, Fowler had 7.5 tackles, one tackle for loss and an interception.
Bridgewater added 4.5 tackles, while Quinton Moore recorded four tackles.
Corbin Furness finished with three tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
The Tigers also came up with two interceptions, as Fowler and McCoy Cooley each picked off a pass.
Cooley added 1.5 tackles, while Cash Frey recorded three tackles.
Brady Springer contributed two tackles and a half tackle for loss, and Moorman and Deppe each finished with 2.5 tackles.
The fifth-ranked Tigers improved to 7-0 overall and 5-0 in district play, securing the outright championship with one regular-season game remaining.
Martensdale-St. Mary’s fell to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in the district.
Now district champions and still undefeated, Madrid will look to complete a perfect regular season when it travels to Colfax-Mingo (3-4, 1-4 district) on Friday, October, 16.
Jill Lutz reporting
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