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MADISON — We’ve seen it before this season — but not at this level.

Winslow’s rushing attack was somehow even more dominant than usual, racking up 507 yards Friday to beat Madison 56-15 in a battle between two of Class D North’s top teams at Rudman Field.

“We kind of had an idea watching some film that we could have some success (in the run game), and we executed,” said Winslow coach Wes Littlefield. “Our kids really were focused on this game; they really wanted to come in here and sew up that No. 2 seed.”

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Winslow’s offensive line paved the way, and the backs found plenty of room to run. With the exception of a kneel-down with just seconds to go, the Black Raiders (6-1) scored every time they had the ball in the opening half, including touchdown runs of 84 and 98 yards by Michael Loubier and Liem Fortin, respectively.

• The Winslow defense bent at times, but it didn’t break. Although Madison (5-2) got within the visitors’ 25-yard line on three of its first five drives, the Bulldogs came up empty each time. The Black Raiders intercepted Madison quarterback Devin Giroux three times in the first half.

“We just had to play very aggressively every time they were in the red zone,” said Gio Garcia, who had an interception. Quincy Nesbitt and Alyx Hardy each had one as well. “We had to step up closer as a team, and we had to be louder in our communication.”

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WHAT IT MEANS

• Winslow is essentially assured of a bye to the Class D North semifinals. Both teams knew the No. 2 seed was on the line Friday, and the Black Raiders probably secured it, easing their road to a potential regional final against John Bapst, the only team to beat Winslow this year.

“It definitely was (our mission) to blow them out and get the second seed,” said Winslow senior Broddik Bimpson. “We want John Bapst; we want to see them in the regionals. Obviously, our focus is one game at a time, but we know where we want to be, and we’re going to perform.”

• Madison, a team that has made an impressive turnaround this season, must bounce back after having its five-game winning streak snapped. The Bulldogs are still in position for the No. 3 seed in the region regardless of what happens the rest of the way, meaning a semifinal rematch with Winslow is possible.

“That Winslow team is obviously one of the best teams in Class D, so I think we have to know that, we have to respect that, and we have to get back to the grind and keep fighting,” said Madison coach Danny Moreshead. “It could wind up that we see them again, and we need to be prepared.”

NOTABLE QUOTABLES

• “The line was excellent, excellent, excellent. We’re missing Ben Thomas, and that always hurts us, but we had people who stepped up tonight, got the job done and made holes for our running backs.” — Broddik Bimpson

• “We’ve been playing some good team defense all year long, so I think tonight was a bit out of character for us. Going forward, we’ve just got to find ourselves again. This is a team that’s been on a run we haven’t been on in a long time, so I think we’ll be fine after this.” — Danny Moreshead

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STAT LEADERS

Winslow: Michael Loubier (nine carries, 100 yards, 3 TDs), Liem Fortin (six carries, 124 yards, TD), Broddik Bimpson (three carries, 100 yards, TD), Hassan Hobbi (eight carries, 73 yards, 3 TD).

Madison: Devin Giroux (18 of 35 passing, 290 yards, 3 INTs), Jayden Horton (five receptions, 91 yards) Bryce Horton (four receptions, 82 yards).

UP NEXT

• Winslow: vs. Morse (3-4), 1 p.m. Oct. 25

• Madison: vs. Belfast (0-7), 7 p.m. Oct. 24

Mike Mandell came to the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel in April 2022 after spending five and a half years with The Ellsworth American in Hancock County, Maine. He came to Maine out of college after...

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