Madison edged out Westbury 28-20 at Butler Stadium on Friday night, moving closer to securing a second consecutive playoff berth. The Marlins overcame an early deficit with quarterback S.J. Battle leading the comeback, delivering three touchdown passes amid strong defensive plays.
Battle, a junior and first-year starter, completed 8-of-15 passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns, along with one interception. His calm approach helped steady Madison after Westbury opened the scoring. Senior De’Andre Columbus responded with a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown, igniting the Marlins’ offense. Battle then connected with wide receivers Juel Peterson and Columbus for two more first-half touchdowns, putting Madison ahead 21-7 at halftime.
The Marlins defense contributed significantly, forcing four fumble recoveries across the game and making critical stops in the closing moments to seal the victory. Madison improved to 5-2 overall and 5-0 in District 10-5A Division I, stretching their winning streak to five games after an 0-2 start.
Coach James Soria said the team’s motivation runs deep. “They’re extremely motivated,” he told reporters. “They’re looking to make a little history. Last time it happened, it was the Vince Young and Courtney Lewis days. These guys want to make it happen.” Soria referenced Madison’s last run of four straight district titles from 1998-2001, a period that included Vince Young’s tenure as quarterback.
Battle has stepped into big shoes following last year’s senior quarterback, Danzell Bloodworth, who threw for over 2,400 yards and 34 touchdowns during Madison’s 9-3 campaign. Despite his youth, Battle has shown poise and intelligence rarely seen in a first-year starter. “He’s a rhythm quarterback,” Soria said. “Once we get him going, he’s hard to stop. He’s a smart kid, a student of the game.” Battle recently broke Vince Young’s school record for touchdown passes in a single half with seven against Sharpstown.
Westbury, now 3-4 overall and 2-3 in district, fought hard despite a difficult season. The Huskies continue to grieve the loss of senior LePaul Warren, who was fatally shot near the campus on September 25. The tragedy forced the cancellation of Westbury’s homecoming game and has weighed heavily on the team. Coach Jarvis Kelley acknowledged the emotional toll but praised his players’ resilience. “It’s like losing a family member. They play for each other, preach brotherhood and culture,” Kelley said. “The kids made up their minds that they wanted to finish this season and play for LePaul.”
Westbury opened the scoring but struggled to keep pace after Madison’s offense found its rhythm. Running back Machi Harden scored a touchdown for the Huskies, showing sparks of their potential in the contest. Westbury still has three district games remaining against Milby, Sam Houston, and Sharpstown as they push to reach the postseason for the second year in a row.
Madison’s defense maintained pressure throughout, recovering multiple fumbles and shutting down Westbury’s final drives. Battle threw a touchdown pass to Columbus on the first possession of the third quarter, extending the lead. The Marlins then relied on their defense to preserve the win in the closing minutes.
Battle, who has now passed for nearly 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns through seven games, reflected on his growing leadership role. “It means a lot considering [Vince Young] was the greatest at Madison,” he said. “Now I’ll be remembered with him on that list. It’s a big blessing, and it’s just a testament to all the work that I’ve put in.”
Madison’s victory on Friday night puts them within reach of a second straight district title. Their next games will determine if they can complete a historic back-to-back run unseen since the Vince Young era. Meanwhile, Westbury looks to regroup and honor the memory of LePaul Warren as they fight for a playoff spot.
According to Yahoo Sports.
