The Newman Grove/St. Edward Panthers will take on the Madison Dragons at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday. Newman Grove/St. Edward has given up an average of 51.4 points per game this season, but Thursday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Newman Grove/St. Edward is headed into the game out to prove that what happened against Clarkson/Leigh on Friday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. The Panthers were outmatched by the Patriots and fell 66-18. The Panthers were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 52-18.
Newman Grove/St. Edward's loss shouldn't obscure the performances of Parker Fitchner, who picked up 118 receiving yards and a pair of TDs, and Griffin Nelson, who threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, winning is always nice, but doing so behind a season-high score is even better (just ask Madison). They put the hurt on Twin River with a sharp 52-26 victory on Friday. With that win, the Dragons brought their scoring average up to 27.7 points per game.
Newman Grove/St. Edward better keep an eye on Bodonn Sweeney. He was instrumental in Madison's win, rushing for 195 yards and five scores while picking up 8.5 yards per carry, and also throwing for 158 yards and one TD on only nine passes. Sweeney's longest rush was for an incredible 73 yards.
Madison was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 246 rushing yards. That's the most rushing yards they've posted since back in October of 2024.
Madison didn't go easy on the quarterback and picked off three passes before the game was over. The picks came courtesy of Izac Zautke and Sweeney. Sweeney continues to improve, besting his previous point total in each of the last three games he's played.
Madison's first victory this season bumped their record up to 1-6. As for Newman Grove/St. Edward, their defeat dropped their record down to 0-7.
Newman Grove/St. Edward was taken down by Madison 58-20 in their previous meeting back in October of 2024. That contest was all but decided by halftime, at which point the Panthers were down 36-6.
