Published: November 07, 2009 01:04 am      

Turnovers help Defenders top Madison Central, 42-0

LEXINGTON — In the end, a lopsided loss to Bryan Station in the opening round of the Class 6A Playoffs seemed like a predictable outcome for a team that had struggled so badly all season long.

Still, this loss seemed to be the most disappointing.

Madison Central (0-9) had six turnovers, which led to 28 points, and finished with just 234 yards of total offense in a 42-0 loss Friday in Lexington. Bryan Station (9-2) scored 28 points off turnovers and racked up 239 yards on the ground without their two top running backs in the lineup.

“Turnovers tell the whole story,” Madison Central coach Kenny Turner said. “I think they were just trying to do too much.”

The Indians simply couldn’t hold onto the ball in the opening half.

Central had turnovers on five of its first seven possessions and Station took advantage, jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter.

Chaz Mitchell got loose on a 54-yard touchdown run less than six minutes into the game, then a pair of turnovers led to two more quick scores for the Defenders.

The Indians fumbled on their own 30-yard line and, four plays later, Ricky Wolfenbarger scored on a 5-yard run. On the next possession, senior quarterback John Moncrief was intercepted on the Central 12-yard line, leading to a 9-yard touchdown pass from Brady Boling to Mitchell.

“Those turnovers, they capitalized on them — which is what you are supposed to do,” Turner said. “But, again, that’s how we’ve been playing all year.”

Station extended its lead to 28-0 just before the half by taking advantage of yet another Central turnover. Mark Oldham fumbled a punt return and, one play later, Boling hit Russell Fulz on a 35-yard touchdown pass.

“You are just fighting trying to get back in it, then you turn it over again,” Turner said.

The Defenders came out in the second half and put together an impressive eight-minute, 13-play, 72-yard touchdown drive that drained the clock and ended almost any thought of a Central comeback.

Wolfenbarger scored on a 1-yard touchdown drive to put Station up 35-0 with 3:26 left in the third quarter.

Ladarius Jackson added an 11-yard TD run with 3:29 left in the fourth quarter.

Central drove into Bryan Station territory four times in the first half, but was unable to convert any of those opportunities. The Indians fumbled twice, came up short on a fourth down and had a field goal attempt blocked.

“We were driving,” Turner said. “We just got a little anxious and tried to make something happen. And we hurt ourselves again.”

The Indians fumbled 10 times (only four of which Station recovered) and finished with just 42 yards rushing on 24 attempts. Junior quarterback Nick Ford completed 11-of-18 passes for 111 yards and was intercepted once.

Senior John Moncrief was four-of-five for 25 yards and an interception and Matt Withers was five-of-six for 56 yards.

James Ballew finished with 43 yards on five rushes and Dre Goggins had eight catches for 64 yards.

The loss was the 10th straight for the Indians. Central’s last win came in the first round of last year’s playoffs.