Henry Clay (7-4) vs. Madison Central (10-1) November 14, 2003

Henry Clay handed Madison Central their only loss of the season 32-26 earlier this season and has been a thorn in the side of the Indians, eliminating them from the playoffs in 1998, 2001, and 2002.  The Blue Devils have been led by Aubrey White who has rolled up 1411 all-purpose yards.  White has carried the ball 39 times for 266 yards and three scores and caught 35 passes for 590 yards and 10 scores.  He also returned 10 punts for 207 yards and a score plus 17 kickoff returns for 348 yards.  Rod Johnson led the Henry Clay ground attack this season with 839 yards and nine touchdowns on 155 carries.  Salin Simpson has completed 73 of 157 passes for 1031 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Henry Clay's defense has been led by Mychal Dabney, Steve Dominianni, and Josh Wright, who have recorded 66, 64.5, and 46 tackles respectively. 

Madison Central has generated offense by committee this season with several players, including QB Ryan Barnes, WR Steven Ballew, and RBs Steven Stunson, Thomas Estill, Paul Warford, and Andrew Mathis all capable of making big plays.  The defense has been led by LB Matt Bell. 

Madison Central defeated Henry Clay 30-21 tonight to advance to the region finals for the first time since 1996.  Madison Central raced out to a 12-0 lead on a 68 yard TD run by Paul Warford and a 70 yard TD pass from Ryan Barnes to Steven Ballew.  The Indians missed both conversion attempts.  Henry Clay fought back and took a 14-12 lead in the second quarter on a six yard TD run by Rod Johnson and the extra point attempt by Peter Mashni.  Madison Central regained the lead 20-14 in the second quarter on a five yard run by Ryan Barnes and a two point conversion pass from Barnes to Matt Bell.  Madison Central outscored Henry Clay 10-7 in the third quarter and held the Blue Devils scoreless in the final period to earn the victory.  Madison Central held a 415-267 advantage in total offense but lost three fumbles.  The Blue Devils lost a fumble and had two passes intercepted.  Madison Central was penalized nine times for 78 yards while Henry Clay was flagged 10 times for 58 yards. 

Madison Central was led on the ground by Steven Stunson who carried the ball 21 times for 133 yards, while Paul Warford added 84 yards and a score on seven carries.  QB Ryan Barnes connected on six of 16 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns.  Steven Ballew caught two passes for 79 yards and a TD.  Andrew Mathis had two receptions for 59 yards and a score.  Matt Bell led the Madison Central defense with seven solo and one assisted tackle. 

The Henry Clay ground attack was led by Aubrey White with 134 yards and a TD on 12 carries.  Rod Johnson added 110 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries.  QB Salin Simpson completed two of 15 passes for 17 yards and had two passes intercepted.  Aubrey White had two receptions for 17 yards.  The Henry Clay defense was led by Steve Dominianni with 10 solo and one assisted tackle.  Josh Wright added nine solo tackles. 

Scoring Summary

Madison Central

30

Henry Clay

21

School	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Henry Clay	7	7	7	0	21
Madison Central	12	8	10	0	30

MC	- Paul Warford 68 yard run (kick fails)
MC	- Steven Ballew 70 yard pass from Ryan Barnes (run fails)
HC	- Rod Johnson 58 yard run (Peter Mashni kick)
HC	- Johnson 6 yard run (Mashni kick)
MC	- Barnes 5 yard run (Matt Bell pass from Barnes)
MC	- Phillip Herbst 19 yard field goal
MC	- Andrew Mathis 50 yard pass from Barnes (Herbst kick)
HC	- Aubrey White 59 yard run (Mashni kick)

 

Selected Statistics
 

Henry Clay						Madison Central
Rushing	No.	Yds.	Avg.	Long		Rushing	No.	Yds.	Avg.	Long
Aubrey White	12	134	11.2	59		Steven Stunson	21	133	6.3	17
Rod Johnson	15	110	7.3	58		Paul Warford	7	84	12.0	68
Salin Simpson	2	11	5.5	10		Thomas Estill	3	23	7.7	15
Travis Hart	1	4	4.0	4		Evan King	2	7	3.5	4
Clayton Heien	6	0	0.0	3		Team	2	-1	-0.5	0
Matt Walker	2	-9	-4.5	0		Andrew Mathis	1	-4	-4.0	0
						Charles Kavanaugh	1	-6	-6.0	0
						Ryan Barnes	6	-9	-1.5	5
Passing	A-C-I	Yds.	TD	Long		Passing	A-C-I	Yds.	TD	Long
Salin Simpson	15-2-2	17	0	9		Ryan Barnes	16-6-0	188	2	70
						Andrew Mathis	0-0-0	0	0	0
Receiving	No.	Yds.	TD	Long		Receiving	No.	Yds.	TD	Long
Aubrey White	2	17	0	9		Steve Ballew	2	79	1	70
						Andrew Mathis	2	59	1	50
						Steven Stunson	1	45	0	45
						Paul Warford	1	5	0	5

Acknowledgements

A special thanks to WL Stats for the comprehensive stats provided for tonight's game. 

Other Games of Interest
Please refer to Week Thirteen in Review. 

Please send your comments and questions to Ron Harrison at prepgridiron@yahoo.com.

Ron Harrison’s reports on this and other football events appear on https://www.angelfire.com/ky2/prepgridiron.