MADISON – Known for its strong running attack over the years, the Madison offense leaned on its passing game a lot more the last couple of years behind the strong arm of Will Randall in the 2025 season.
Last year, Randall threw for more than 1,700 yards and 18 touchdowns. He is continuing his academic and football career at Ashland University this fall.
Now, with Randall and Madison’s class of 23 seniors — many of them on offense gone — head coach Mike Gilligan and offensive coordinator Mike Martin will now look to utilize the athletic strengths of junior Dom Gephart, who brings a much different skill-set to the field than Randall.
“Dom is a capable thrower, but you are definitely going to have to account for him running the ball,” Gilligan said. “He is quick, very explosive.”
Madison fans got a glimpse of Gephart’s athleticism last year.
“We were playing Hawken and we were able to get him on a bubble screen and he took it 70 yards for a touchdown,” Gilligan said of Gephart, who will also be the team’s punter and looks to be the field goal kicker as well.
As a result, area fans will see more of what they are accustomed to seeing from the Blue Streaks — an explosive running game.
“It will be the return to the old tradition of Madison football,” Gilligan said.
In order to get there, getting its offensive line solidified is perhaps the most pressing need for the Madison coaching staff this preseason.
“We have to get our offensive line developed because we have an athletic quarterback who can wreak havoc in many ways,” Gilligan said.
Senior tackle Ivan Cardona and junior Leland Scheel are two players who bring experience up front.
“Ivan is an anchor and can be one of the better linemen we’ve ever had,” Gilligan said of his 5’11”, 260 pound senior who stood out on the line a year ago. “And Leland Scheel is another [player] who has some experience and could be really good for us.”
Senior Dylan Morgan is one who Gilligan mentioned who is competing at center, but the coach didn’t rule out the likes of senior Michael Susevich, junior Ben Watson, and a trio of talented sophomores in Brody Finch, Simon Young and Christian Johnson as players who could emerge as starters when Madison takes the season against Perry in week 1.
“Largely, what’s going to determine whether we will be successful is if we can get those guys game ready,” Gilligan said. “We have a lot of young kids new to Friday nights, but our hope is to be able to run the football and hopefully get some explosive plays in the run game.”
Gilligan said his team doesn’t have a ton of experience among its skill positions, but he is optimistic about the players he has available in the backfield alongside Gephart.
Senior Anthony Telenko saw some limited action in the backfield last season. He and junior Parker Johnson, who was lost for the season in Game 3 last year, both bring a physical presence to the backfield.
“Telenko and Parker are big, physical kids that have good speed,” Gilligan said of his two main running backs. “Both are really strong in the weight room.”
Gilligan also included juniors Sam Crosby, Josh White along with sophomores JJ Henton and Jacob Bystry as athletes who can make explosive plays this fall for the Blue Streaks.
While Madison returns very little experience at wide receiver, Gilligan does have one of the better targets in the area returning in 6’4”, 250-pound senior tight end Mason Nusker, a Youngstown State University commit.
“His biggest asset is his blocking, but he is really athletic and is a big target so we are planning on utilizing him more,” Gilligan said.
Bobby Wyant and Derek Solar are both a pair of athletic juniors who will be an asset when Madison uses multi tight-end formations.
Seniors Gavin Mayfield and Kam Wilson both have some limited experience at wide receiver on Friday nights, but each will be counted on more this season along with senior Lyndon Goglin and junior Jake Kovacevic.
“Our inexperience is a question mark at a lot of positions,” Gilligan said. “We have several young guys who will be getting varsity reps for the first time.”
Gilligan included strong-armed sophomore quarterback Lucian Kingus in that mix as one who could also see some playing time on Friday nights in some offensive packages.