MADISON TOWNSHIP — Cole Eichorn’s first reception of the season was one he won’t soon forget.

A rugged 5-foot-10, 195-pound senior better known for his work as a linebacker, Eichorn caught a 3-yard touchdown pass midway through the second quarter as Lexington cruised to a 49-17 Ohio Cardinal Conference win over Madison at STARTEK Stadium.

Eichorn’s TD grab came on a shovel pass from quarterback Joe Caudill. Caudill took the shot gun snap and underhanded the ball to Eichorn, who lined up in the slot and slipped across the formation.

So when was the last time he caught a touchdown pass?

“Probably seventh grade, honestly,” said Eichorn, Lex’s leading tackler on defense. “My eyes lit up. We worked on it this week and I was hoping it was called.”

Offensive Explosion

Eichorn was one of five Minutemen to score a touchdown in the first half. Lexington (8-1, 5-0) scored on all six of its first-half possessions and took a 42-3 lead to the break.

“I feel like we did have a balance tonight,” Lexington coach Andrew Saris said. “We were able to run the ball effectively and get the ball out of Joe’s hands and get it to some athletes, which is really exciting.”

Seven Allen broke the ice with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns. He scored on a 14-yard run then hauled in a 59-yard TD pass from Caudill as Lex built a first-quarter lead. Caudill scored on a 21-yard run early in the second quarter before hooking up with Eichorn. 

Madison’s Camden Moysi booted a 48-yard field goal to make it 28-3, but Lex scored a pair of touchdowns in the final minute to ensure the running clock in the second half. Brayden Fogle scored on a 4-yard run and, after a Madison fumble inside its own 10-yard line, Markale Martin rumbled in for a 9-yard TD to make it 42-3.

“When mistake like that happen, it definitely hurts but you’ve just got to learn from it and continue to grow,” first-year Madison coach Kobi Johnson said. “We’ve got to keep our heads down and keep plugging away.”

Signs of Life

Madison (2-7, 1-4) scored a pair of second-half touchdowns.

Kaleb Gordon darted in for a 14-yard touchdown to make it 42-10 and, after Martin scored his second rushing TD for Lex on the final play of the third quarter, Moysi hauled in a 10-yard scoring pass from Colton Adkins with 2:50 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Championship Week

Lexington will host Ashland (9-0, 5-0) for the Ohio Cardinal Conference championship next week. The Arrows thumped Wooster 52-7.

Ashland secured the OCC title last year with a Week 10 win over Lex.

“We’ve worked for this since January,” Eichorn said. “This is a big moment for us. It’s a big week.

“We’ve been waiting for this.”

Rivalry Week

Madison will travel to Arlin Field for its annual grudge match against crosstown rival Mansfield Senior. The Tygers (1-8, 1-4) fell to Canton GlenOak 44-12.

“It’s the Battle of Mansfield,” said Johnson, a Madison graduate. “As a guy who played in it, it’s huge for me.

“It’s a game that every year we get up for. It doesn’t matter what the records are.”