KSR Game of the Week: No. 24 Madison Central at No. 8 Frederick Douglass

The KSR Game of the Week is headed back to The Farm for a Class 6A playoff rematch.

The No. 8 ranked Frederick Douglass Broncos (8-4) host the visiting No. 24 Madison Central Indians (7-4) Friday night at 7:00 p.m. EST in the Class 6A Quarterfinals.

The Broncos traveled to Madison Central earlier this season on Oct. 11, where they held off the Indians 21-14. That game was not without controversy however, as it looked like Madison Central crossed the goal-line for a touchdown, but it was not ruled. This was the deciding factor in their seven-point loss, leading to outrage from the fanbase.

Frederick Douglass and Madison Central have met on five different occasions since the 2017 season. The Broncos are 5-0 and won all five games by an average of 29 points. Friday’s matchup will mark their second consecutive playoff matchup, as Douglass rolled the Indians 50-7 one year ago in a Class 6A Second Round matchup.

Looking at On3’s Massey Ratings score predictions, Frederick Douglass has a whopping 98 percent chance to win this game with the projected final score favoring the Broncos, 38-7. Here’s what you need to know about both teams.

No. 24 Madison Central Indians (7-4)

After a disappointing 4-8 2023 season, Madison Central has bounced back this season with a 7-4 record and a trip to the Class 6A Quarterfinals.

The Indians opened the playoffs with a dominant 42-0 win over Tates Creek before holding off Bryan Station 21-19 in the Second Round last Friday night. Running back Corinthian Barnes was a superstar for the Indians, rushing for 131 yards and two touchdowns in the win. On the season, Barnes has rushed for 379 yards and two touchdowns. Lead back Bryant Mathis, who has rushed for 1,073 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season, totaled just 68 yards and a score against the Defenders.

Not only does Madison Central boast seven wins, three of them came against teams that were ranked in KSR’s Top 25 Rankings this season (Johnson Central, Great Crossing, and Bryan Station).

Central is a run dominant team, as it has totaled 2,555 rushing yards to just 661 passing yards this season. Quarterback Carson Herbst has attempted just 64 pass attempts this season, totaling 621 yards and 10 touchdowns. He passed for 65 yards, a touchdown and an interception against Douglass earlier this season, along with leading the Indians with 56 rushing yards.

Coach William Blair’s team averages 25 points per game, while allowing 17 points per game. Douglass’ 21 points scored earlier this season were the least amount scored against the Indians in program history.

With a win, the Indians would advance to the Class 6A Semifinals for the first time since 2021.

No. 8 Frederick Douglass Broncos (8-4)

Frederick Douglass is on the cusp of reaching the Class 6A Semifinals for the second time in its second year in the Class. The Broncos’ transition from 5A to 6A has been a resounding success so far.

The first two games of their playoff run have been a breeze, as they’ve outscored Dunbar and George Rogers Clark 91-20 in the span of just two games.

Coach Nathan McPeek’s squad is in familiar territory, as it blew out Madison Central 50-7 in the playoffs last season. In that game, quarterback Jaxon Strautman passed for 95 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. This season, the junior quarterback has passed for 1,195 yards, 20 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. 15 of his 20 passing touchdowns have gone to Western Michigan commit wide receiver Aveion Chenault, who has totaled 654 receiving yards and sed 15 scores.

Along with its high powered offense that averages 32 points per game, the Douglass defense allows just an average of 17 points per game.

If the Broncos advance to the Semifinals, it will mark its sixth appearance (second in 6A) in just its eighth year as a program. Coach McPeek has built himself a dynasty in Lexington.