Mustangs reach Ironbowl XIII!

For the second consecutive season, and 4th out of the last 5 years, the Madison Mustangs have reached the Ironman Football League Championship by defeating the always tough Muskego Hitmen in the National Conference Championship game 31-21. Madison now has a record of 11-0 and has won its last 23 in a row. The Mustangs will face the Wauwatosa Spartans in Ironbowl XIII at the Wisconsin Dells Center, Saturday September 12th, 2009, at 7:00 pm. Madison defeated the Spartans in their first game of the season 55-19.

Both teams started off slow, being forced to punt in each of their first possessions. But on their second possession Madison got it going. After a 28 yard run by HB Kyle Brodd, QB David Pietrowiak capped off the drive by hitting WR John Hinner on a slant and a 14 yard TD, 7-0 at the end of one quarter. The Muskego Hitmen respond and drive down the field on the Mustangs D. Hitmen QB Brent Staudt found TE Kurt Bork for a 23 yard TD reception and tie the game at 7-7. The Mustangs respond and drive on the Hitmen D. Three passes later the Mustangs are on the Hitmen 20 yard line. However, on the next play Petro under threw a pass and it was picked off by CB Mike Liebert. After a strong hold by the Mustangs D, Muskego had to punt by their goal line. The Muskego punter mishandles the snap and WR Reggie Davis was there to make the tackle at the Hitmen 3 yard line. The next play HB Kyle Brodd took it over the Muskego goaline, 14-7. After a 41 yard kick return by Darrell Ellison the Hitmen were setup to respond again, but Stangs LB Brandon Wanless had other plans, sacking Hitmen QB Staudt and forcing another Muskego punt. On the second play of the Madison’s drive Petro threw another INT, this time by Hitmen LB Tony Saglin. Six plays later Muskego ties it up again, this time with a 6 yard run by HB Booker Stanley, 14-14. With just 36 left until halftime Muskego kicks off the ball on the ground, up back, LB Kenny Schillo, picks up the ball and returns it up to the Mustangs 47 yard line. 2 pass plays later, and with just 4 seconds left on the clock, kicker Jason Epps hits a 32 yard field goal and a 17-14 Stangs halftime lead.

The second half was nothing less then exciting. After a good return by up back Brandon Wanless to the Hitmen 49 yard line, the Stangs O stalls out, and punt the ball to the Hitmen 8 yard line. While sprinting out to his right, Staudt finds a crossing WR Carmelo Valezquez and he takes it 92 yards to the house, 21-17. This is the first deficit the Mustangs have had to overcome all season. The Mustangs are true champions and respond like champions. Leaning on their 1-2 punch, HB’s Kyle Brodd and George Randolph rumble the Stangs down the field. After a defensive pass interference penalty and a 29 yard scamper by Randolph, Petro swept around the left side and into the end zone, retaking the lead and ending the 3rd quarter, 24-21. Muskego continued to eat up clock and yards but the Mustangs D held strong. Back and forth each team played the field position game. The Mustangs O had a chance to end it but their drive stalled; they did manage to eat some clock and a great punt by Will Smith pinned the Hitmen inside their own 20 yard line. They would have to drive of the IFL’s best defense to win it. Three pass attempts later Mustangs CB Jimmy Gordon picks off Staudt and returns it 38 yards for a TD, 31-21. A lead they would not relinquish because on the very next Hitmen offensive play FS Scott Knipfer picks off Staudt to seal the victory.

The Hitmen strategy to control the clock and time of possession almost worked. The Mustangs only had 38 plays, they average 53. However, HB’s Brodd and Randolph combined for 140 yards rushing on 18 carries compared to Hitmen HB Booker Stanley, who was held to just 40 yards on 16 attempts. WR Carmelo Valezquez highlighted the Hitmen offense with 7 receptions for 190 yards and a TD. Great special teams, stout defense, and timely explosive plays on offense were the keys to a Mustangs victory.