Defense Defines Dodgers: Madison Blanks Vernon 34-0 for Third Consecutive Shutout

VERNON, NJ — The Madison Dodgers Super Pee Wee team kept their hot streak alive Saturday, September 20, traveling to Vernon and shutting down the Vikings in dominant fashion. In their third consecutive shutout, Madison’s defense stayed impenetrable and their offense explosive, cruising to a 34-0 victory and pushing their season tally to 84 unanswered points.

Madison kicked off to open the game, and Vernon’s return unit was immediately bottled up. Vikings quarterback Mike Polesky took the field, but the Dodgers’ defense quickly smothered any attempt at momentum, forcing a punt within minutes.

The Dodgers’ offense wasted no time. On the very first snap, running back Mike Del Vecchio ripped through a 15-yard hole created by linemen Joey Kane and Cooper Chaput, who controlled the trenches all afternoon. That run set the tone, and moments later, Will Jacobson exploded down the sideline like he was on a tight-rope, for a 50-yard touchdown. Madison capped the drive with a successful extra point.

The kickoff team then stormed downfield, forming an impenetrable wall that denied Vernon return man Nick Craig even a yard of breathing room. Madison’s defense returned to work, delivering gang tackles and heavy hits that forced another Vernon punt.

Quarterback Nolan May, whose command of the offense has grown sharper with each week, called Austin Atkinson’s number on the next series. Atkinson delivered in highlight fashion, breaking tackles, stiff-arming a defender, and busting 60 yards to the end zone. The extra point was no good, but Madison already looked unstoppable.

Vernon continued to struggle against Madison’s defensive front. After another short possession, Del Vecchio returned with a bruising inside run. Stuffed at first by Vernon lineman Yianni Kostadakis, Del Vecchio made a sharp jump cut, picked up a key block from Declan Cooney, and raced 40 yards for another score. To the delight of the traveling fans, Connor Buckley bulldozed through for the extra point like William “The Refrigerator” Perry.

The defense fed off the energy. Cash Hannah blew up a an outside run, hammering Vernon’s Kevin Brune and forcing a fumble. Though the Vikings recovered, Madison’s relentless swarming defense forced another punt. At halftime, the Dodgers led 21-0.

The second half brought more of the same. Teddy Lynn opened the third quarter with punishing runs, lowering his shoulder into defenders. Then, showing surprising finesse, Lynn cut back across the field, juked a defender, and raced 20 yards into the end zone. Another extra point try failed, but the Dodgers extended their lead to 27-0.

By now, Madison’s defense was overwhelming Vernon. Tackles seemed to come from every angle, as players flew to the ball carrier in waves. The Vikings’ offensive line looked outmatched, shoved aside by Jacob Meshki, Jacob Chase, Zach Reed, Luca Scaravaglione, John Healy, and Harrison Kean, who lived in the backfield all day.

The offense wasn’t finished either. Jon Healy tiptoed down the sideline and dove for the pylon for another score. Moments later, Michael Curry capped the drive by bouncing outside, showing burst and balance as he stretched the lead to 34-0.

Even special teams nearly delivered a knockout blow as Atkinson hustled downfield and almost recovered his own kickoff at the Vernon 15, only for the Vikings to catch a lucky bounce. Still, Vernon never threatened. With Cooney and Hannah anchoring a defense that smothered every attempt, Madison closed out another statement win.

The Dodgers have now scored 84 unanswered points this season, with their defense pitching back-to-back-to-back shutouts.

After the game, Head Coach Pete Mazzocchi praised his team but kept the focus forward:

“I’m proud of the way our guys played today. Strong, disciplined, and relentless on every snap. This group works hard during the week, and it shows on the field. But the truth is, we haven’t accomplished anything yet. We’re going to keep grinding, keep improving, because there’s always more work to be done.”

The Dodgers return home next week to face Hackettstown at the Madison Recreation Complex on Saturday, September 27 at 10:00 a.m. sharp.