A banged up Madison Bulldogs team fell to West Central 42-21 Friday night in Hartford.

Already missing several starters, Madison lost linebacker and tight end Nolan Nielson just two plays into the game. Despite being undermanned, the Bulldogs took the early lead. An interception from Fernando DeLaTorre set the Bulldogs up in West Central territory. Henry Veenhof then scored on a one-yard keeper to go up 6-0.

West Central answered with two touchdowns to take a 14-6 lead after the opening quarter. The Trojans extended that lead to 21-6 early in the second quarter on an eight-yard touchdown run by Boche Knight.

Madison responded with two touchdown runs by Veenhof, from one and two yards out, to tie the game at 21. Veenhof also ran in the two-point conversion on the second score.

However, West Central regained the lead just before halftime on a 24-yard touchdown run by Braylon Robbins, giving the home team a 28-21 advantage at the break.

West Central added one touchdown in the third quarter and another in the final second of the game to secure the 42-21 victory.

Veenhof led Madison’s offense with 132 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 23 carries. He also completed 11 of 21 passes for 109 yards.

Ethan Sims led the Bulldogs with six receptions for 56 yards, while Kaysen Gust caught two passes for 41 yards.

West Central finished with 518 yards of total offense, including 314 passing yards and 204 rushing yards. Beckett Everson completed 17 of 25 passes for 314 yards, with Boche Knight accounting for 217 receiving yards on 10 catches, and had 3 rushing TD’s.

Madison totaled 258 yards of offense, including 149 rushing yards and 109 passing yards.

Luke Johnson recorded a sack and led Madison’s defense with 10 total tackles.

The 4-3 Bulldogs hit the road again next week, traveling to 5-2 Canton.