NEWPORT - Another quick start and strong defensive play led Madison-Plains to its second straight win on Friday, a 20-7 homecoming victory over Washington Court House.

The Blue Lions opened the game with a high medium-depth kickoff that was heading out of bounds. Madison-Plains senior Chad Bevington chased the pop-up as coach Sean Adams yelled “Let it go!” Bevington didn’t hear him and made an over-the-shoulder catch, spun and headed up field.

About 67 yards later, Bevington was tripped up, setting the Eagles up at the Blue Lions’ 8-yard line. Two plays later, Ryan Simon found Matthew Perigo wide open in the end zone for a 10-yard touchdown pass and the Eagles led 6-0 before some fans had found their seats.

The kickoff return set the tone for the game. The Eagles (2-2) seemed to find the big plays when they needed them while the Lions (0-4) couldn’t get their offense going.

Lions coach John Enochs pointed to the kickoff return and two critical Lion turnovers as the difference makers in the game.

“The two fumbled snaps just killed us and the kickoff at the beginning of the game really hurt,” he said.

“That’s kids making plays,” Adams said after the game. “Our seniors played a great game, especially Corey Garrett, Chad Bevington, Seth Faulkner and Ryan Simon.”

The Eagles missed the extra point kick, but made up the point after their second touchdown, a four-yard run by Bevington with 10:52 to go in the second quarter.

Simon passed to Kyle Powers for the conversion and a 14-0 Eagle lead. The big play of that MP drive was a wild pass play on second and 15 from the Lion 21.

The shotgun snap from center went over Simon’s head. He got his hand on it and pulled it in, then scrambled before lofting a high pass toward the goal line. Faulkner leapt high and pulled it in to set up first and goal at the 4. Faulkner hurt his knee on the play and could not return.

In the second half, the Lions drove to the Eagle 25 and had first and 10 when the first fumbled snap occurred. This time, the Eagles gave the ball right back when Lion defensive back Collin Farmer intercepted Simon. The MP defense held, but the offense went backward on penalties and punted from the MP 6.

That set up the Lions’ only touchdown, a 7-yard run by sophomore Ben Parks, who took a solid hit at the line but broke the tackle. Tyler Kimmett’s extra point had the Lions back in the game with 1:09 left in the third quarter.

The Lion defense held on third and one and got the ball back as the fourth quarter started. But on their first play at their own 35, Farmer fumbled the snap and MP recovered. MP defensive end Wesley Henderson was at the bottom of the pile and came up with both fumbled snaps.

“We got the ball back after playing good defense,” Enochs said. “We didn’t move the ball very well and they did.”

The Eagles got as close as the 6-yard line, but couldn’t score. A.J. Poff’s field goal attempt didn’t get off the ground as the snap from center sailed over holder Bevington’s head. Poff covered the ball at the Lion 29.

The Eagles put the game away on their next possession; 76 yards in seven plays, scoring on a 15-yard run by Bevington.

“That last touchdown, the offensive line did a great job. Our offensive line had the best game they’ve played,” Adams said.

Defensively, Darren Brandt intercepted Farmer with 1:34 left in the game to seal the win.

“We pride ourselves on defense. We bent but didn’t break,” Adams said.

Statistically, the game was close. MP totaled 276 yards of offense and the Lions had 217. The difference was the Lions’ three turnovers and the Eagles’ ability to hit the big plays when needed.

Individually, Bevington led the Eagles with 77 yards rushing and the two TDs. Corbin Quire caught three passes for 47 yards and Simon finished with 107 yards on 10 of 15 passing.

The Lions were lead by Parks’s 150 yards rushing and Farmer was three of 16 passing for 50 yards.

Washington returns home Friday to take on Hillsboro. The Indians were pounded by Clinton-Massie last night, 63-0.

Madison Plains is at McClain for its next game.

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