With a 44-9 overall record and winning four straight region championships since the 2020 season, what might be next for the Madison Warhawks this fall, and can the high-school football team continue its string of success?
During that stretch, Madison has won three Concorde District championships and played in the Class 6 state tournament four times, with two runner-up finishes.
The 2024 season begins for the Vienna team Thursday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. against the visiting Stone Bridge Bulldogs.
On offense, Madison returns key starters Cael Yates at quarterback, Dominic Knicely at runningback, along with three offensive linemen in Ari Rosenberg, Maukon Khazami and Theodore Lewis. The Warhawks do not return any starting tight ends or wide receivers.
Knicely ran for 1,365 yards and 24 touchdowns last season, catching nine passes for 134 and one TD. In addition, he had 571 yards in kick returns. Knicely has committed to play in college at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina.
“We lost everybody who caught a pass for us last season, other than Dominic,” said Madison head coach Justin Counts, who has led the Warhawks to 70 victories in his seven seasons in charge. “So a lot of big plays will have to be replaced. With the three linemen back, and our quarterback and top running back, that’s a good place to start.”
On defense, Madison has much more seasoning with nine returning starters.
“With that kind of experience, our defense will keep us in games,” Counts said.
Included among returning defensive starters are linemen Caden Green, Brenen Gephart, William Gates and Oscar Espanol; defensive back Luke Salvosa; and linebacker Jackson Ambruzs.
Madison plays a difficult schedule. In addition to its five district contests, included among the Warhawks’ non-league games are clashes against perennial winning teams Stone Bridge, Lake Braddock, South County and Robinson. There also is a non-leaguer against neighborhood rival Marshall.
Stone Bridge was a Class 5 state finalist last season and Lake Braddock was a Class 6 state semifinalist. South County advanced far in its region playoffs.
“There are no easy games. We will have to play all of them,” Counts said. “We will get a lot of power points for just showing up.”
Last season, Madison finished with a 12-2 record and was second in the Concorde District with a 4-1 mark. It began the season with a road victory over Stone Bridge.
