Frederick Douglass cruises to 36-6 6A Quarterfinal win over Madison Central

In its second season of Class 6A play, the Frederick Douglass Broncos are heading back to the 6A Semifinals.

No. 8 ranked Douglass downed No. 24 Madison Central 36-6 Friday night in the KSR Game of the Week, earning its second win of the season over the Indians. Frederick Douglass scored the first 14 points of the game and the final 22 points of the game.

Dakari and Derion Talbert shined for the Broncos, scoring three of Douglass’ five touchdowns. Heading into next week’s 6A Semifinals, Douglass has won six of its last seven games, with its one loss coming to No. 1 Boyle County.

Coach Nathan McPeek’s team may be peaking at the right time.

Broncos dominate the first half

The Frederick Douglass defense was the main story of the first half, as it held the Madison Central offense without a single first down over the 24 minute span. They were aided by its offense, who scored two touchdowns to give the Broncos a 14-0 lead at the half.

Sophomore running back Dakari Talbert opened the scoring for Frederick Douglass with 6:58 remaining in the first half, reaching the end zone from five yards out for his 10th score of the season. Following two more three-and-outs from the Madison Central offense, junior TayTay Allen became the second Douglass running back to find paydirt. Allen’s third touchdown of the season stretched the lead out to 14.

What a snag for the WMU commit Aveion Chenault! 🤯

#8 Douglass 7 | #24 Mad Ctrl 0 | 7:55 2H pic.twitter.com/hWjV1nmNVo

— Daniel Hager (@DanielHagerKSR) November 23, 2024

Some controversy emerged on the Douglass sideline near the end of the second quarter however, as a mini scrum between a few teammates broke out. It was broken up, but certainly something you never want to see on a sideline.

Kick-off return shifts game for Douglass

Something clicked at halftime for the Indians, as they drove all the way down the field (securing their first first down of the night) for six points, courtesy of lead running back Bryant Mathis. It looked as if coach William Blair’s squad finally figured it out, but that was not the case.

On the Central kick-off, Douglass’ Derion Talbert returned it for a statement touchdown, stretching the Broncos’ lead back out to 15. After then recovering a fumble on their own 25-yard line, Dakari Talbert scored his second touchdown of the night to make it a dominant 28-6 lead for Douglass.

TayTay Allen then became the second Douglass running back to score his second touchdown on the night, polishing off a huge win for the Broncos on a wet and rainy night in Lexington.

The Broncos will be back in action next week for a spot in the 6A State Championship game, while Madison Central’s season comes to an end at 7-5.