Sports Line High School Football Preview Series: Madison Bobcats

REXBURG, Idaho (KIFI) - The Madison Bobcats returned to the state playoffs in 2021, but after a first round exit against Meridian, Madison looks to take the next step and make a playoff run.

The key to achieving that goal and winning its first state title in 10 years for Madison is simple, according to Head Coach Chandler Rhoads.

"Just laying the groundwork for our program and our culture," Rhoads said. "Last year is last year. Each year is independent of itself and we're just focused on getting better each and every day this year."

Senior leadership will go a long way towards success in 2022, including on field and off the field leadership from players such as quarterback Ben Dredge and defensive linemen Caden Cottle and Klarke McKane.

"You always want to have veteran leadership," Rhoads said. "Older guys that have been in the program and those three guys have been the staples throughout the offseason in the summer, along with Andrew Walsh, who's one of our senior linemen as well."

In an already competitive 5A High Country Conference, there is one less team in the division this year with Idaho Falls moving down to 4A.

"It just makes every game even that much more important," Rhoads said. "But it doesn't change our approach to anything. We play the schedule we have and take it one week at a time and just move on from every Friday night to every Friday night."

Madison begins its season next Friday, Aug. 19th at Owyhee against the Storm with kickoff at 7:00 p.m.