The Madrid Tigers left no doubt in their Class A first-round playoff opener Friday, October 24, overwhelming North Butler 48-8 at home to advance to the next round of the postseason.
In the first quarter, after recovering a North Butler fumble, the Tigers marched down the field, capping the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run by Easton Halverson.
With just 48 seconds left in the first quarter, Will Atkinson punched in a 1-yard score to give Madrid a 14-0 lead.
In the second quarter, Loken Velky connected with Emerson Bridgewater on a 15-yard touchdown pass.
On the ensuing kickoff, Madrid executed a perfectly placed pooch kick that North Butler failed to recover, and Madrid pounced on the ball.
Just a few plays later, Velky broke free for a 25-yard touchdown run, sending the Tigers into halftime with a commanding 28-0 lead.
In the third quarter, on a double reverse, Velky got the ball back and launched a deep pass to Jevyn Severson, who made the catch near midfield, slipped past a defender, and sprinted 84 yards to the end zone.
Later in the quarter, Kinnick Grimm added a 6-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 41-0.
In the fourth quarter, Kolbie Owens stepped in at quarterback and delivered a strike to Max Fowler on 4th down—a 51-yard touchdown pass that pushed the lead to 48-0.
North Butler managed a late touchdown, but the outcome was never in doubt.
Stat Leaders:
- Loken Velky: 4-of-5 passing, 117 yards, 2 TDs; 12 carries, 97 yards, 1 TD
- Kolbie Owens: 1-of-1 passing, 51 yards, 1 TD
- Easton Halverson: 10 carries, 49 yards, 1 TD; 3 tackles
- Will Atkinson: 10 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD
- Kinnick Grimm: 3 carries, 13 yards, 1 TD
- Jevyn Severson: 2 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD
- Emerson Bridgewater: 2 receptions, 21 yards, 1 TD
- Max Fowler: 1 reception, 51 yards, 1 TD
- Brady Springer: 5.5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack
- Terrin Lawrenson: 3 tackles, 1 sack
- Logan Bogardus: 1 fumble recovery
With the win, Madrid improves to 6-3, while North Butler ends its season at 4-5.
The Tigers now face a major test as they travel to take on undefeated Woodbury Central (9-0) on Friday, October 31 at 7 p.m.
Fans can catch the action live on KWBG FM 101.5, AM 1590, or stream it at kwbglive.com, with pregame coverage starting at 6:15 p.m. and sports director Ryan Wendt on the call.
Jill Lutz reporting
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