The Madison Warhawks’ football season unfolded pretty much as the squad’s head coach had envisioned back when practice for the 2024 high-school campaign began in August.
Back then, coach Justin Counts said the team’s defense, with more experienced players, would have to carry the Madison load and lead the way during the early going while a less-experienced offense developed.
Although that offense returned standouts Cael Yates at quarterback and top weapon Dominic Knicely at slot back and kick returner, there were unknowns. The team was had some new linemen, receivers and fullbacks on offense.
So there was work to do if Madison wanted to contend for a Concorde District title, win a fifth straight 6D North Region crown, then try to capture its first state championship.
“Defense will have to carry us early while we find out things about our offense,” Counts told the GazetteLeader back in August.
The Warhawks (14-1) were successful on the first two fronts, capturing district and region crowns. Then they fell just short of winning a state title when the Warhawks lost to the Oscar Smith Tigers, 21-20, in the Virginia High School League Class 6 state-championship game Dec. 14 in Harrisonburg.
Yates and Knicely indeed were highly productive and led that offense every game. Both were chosen first-team all-district and all-region for their efforts. Fullbacks Matthew Weiler and Jack Ricciardiello developed nicely, as did tight ends Harry Lewis and Jay Pendry, wide receiver Anthony Voinis and some new starting offensive linemen.
As that was happening, the defense did just what Counts expected by leading the way early.
Madison shut out Stone Bridge in its first game, then allowed no more than 15 points in the next four contests before shutting out its sixth opponent.
The Warhawks had three regular-season shutouts and one in five playoff games.
Top returners on defense were seniors Jackson Ambruzs, Caden Green, Oscar Espanol, Thomas George, Anthony Lim-Nunez, Charlie Backman, Quincy DeWispelaere, Henry Maiden, Matthew Vojta and Heath Tunstall. Top juniors were Graham Gorkowski, Luke Salvosa, Joseph Gore and Alex Gates.
Salvosa had 21 total tackles in the state final, two for losses. Ambruzs had 17 total tackles in that game, Gore 11, George and DeWispelaere 10 each and Maiden nine.
