Lennox dominates Madison 48-20 to advance in playoffs
The Lennox High School football team opened the Class A playoffs with a strong 48-20 victory over Madison on Thursday, Oct. 29, earning a spot in the next round.
The Orioles got off to a fast start, scoring 14 points in the first quarter and adding 13 more in the second to take a 27-0 lead into halftime. Lennox added another touchdown in the third quarter and 14 points in the fourth to secure the win.
Quarterback Cayden Huls led the passing attack, completing 20 of 27 attempts for 359 yards and four touchdowns. Drake Mikkelsen was his top target, hauling in nine receptions for 156 yards and all four of Lennox’s passing touchdowns. Mikkelsen’s touchdown catches covered 23, 4, 5 and 14 yards.
Bennett Hanssen added six catches for 97 yards, while Brennen Juffer had two receptions for 67 yards. Shayden Olean caught one pass for 25 yards, and Leif Karlson added two receptions for 14 yards.
Lennox also found the end zone on the ground with rushing touchdowns from Levi Simonsen on a 1-yard run and Olean on a 2-yard run.
Madison scored all three of its touchdowns through the air.
The Orioles finished with 476 yards of total offense, including 359 passing yards and 117 rushing yards, while recording 22 first downs. Madison totaled 331 yards of offense, with 272 through the air and 59 on the ground, and had 14 first downs. Lennox committed two turnovers, both fumbles, while Madison did not turn the ball over.
Defensively, the Orioles’ Simonsen, Ben Heibult, and Karlson each recorded a sack in the game. Mikkelsen land Maverick Stockwell led the team in tackles with six each. Aiden Hanssen had four in the game.
With the win, Lennox advances to face West Central on Friday, Nov. 6. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The winner will advance to the State A championship game on Friday, Nov. 13, at 1 p.m. at the DakotaDome in Vermillion.