Warde Blasts Ludlowe, 28-0, in Thanksgiving Day Shutout; Eagles/Mustangs Lead Series, 8-4

The following article is reprinted from today's Connecticut Post. The Warde Mustangs won their second straight Thanksgiving Day game over Ludlowe and improved to 9-4 overall in the series, dating back to the days of the Andrew Warde High School Crimson Eagles.

Senior Chike Madu rushed for 237 yards and three touchdowns to propel Fairfield Warde past Fairfield Ludlowe 28-0 before 2,500 fans at Taft Field Thursday. Madu, who broke loose for touchdown runs of 25, 67 and 83 yards, was named Most Valuable Player in the game for Warde.

"I knew going in today I was going to have a big game. I've had over 100 yards (rushing) the last five games," said Madu, a 6-foot-3, 190-pounder. "The team played great. Hopefully, we've been able to establish something for the underclassmen here at Warde."

Junior Phil Tsopanides took the same honor for Ludlowe with 62 hard-earned yards rushing and 15 yards on pass receptions.

The Mustangs finished 4-6, which is two more wins than the previous season. "We really could have had six wins. We're moving toward being competitive," coach Tony Catapano said. "It's never going to be a numbers thing here. It will always be about getting whatever we can from what we have."

Warde's defense intercepted three Ludlowe passes and recovered a fumble. The Falcons (1-9) trailed 13-0 at the half. Warde's Arthur Preston picked off Ludlowe quarterback Rob Ferrara on the opening possession of the game and returned the ball 23 yards to the Ludlowe 29, setting up Kyle Walsh's 3-yard plunge that gave the Mustangs an early 7-0 lead.

On their next possession, the Mustangs faced a fourth-and-three at the Ludlowe 25. Madu burst through the line off right tackle and raced in untouched. Madu really showed off his sprinter's speed in the second half, scoring on dashes of 67 and 83 yards. Catapano says his star runner has managed to get his 40 time down to 4.6 seconds through hard work.

"He's an example of what we can do here if the kids commit to the program. When you invest yourself to 18 months or 24 months of training and conditioning, you will improve," Catapano said.

Madu piled up 172 of his 237 yards, which came on 18 carries, in the second half. That took the offensive burden off quarterback Ralph Fidaleo, who completed 4-of-8 passes for 33 yards with two interceptions.

Ludlowe's Mike Deliberti had both picks off Fidaleo, but the Falcons were never able to capitalize. Ludlowe had two scoring threats in the fourth quarter, but one ended in a fumble at the Warde 17-yard line and the other on downs at the Warde 13.

The Falcons managed eight first downs in the second half, although they never scored. Zach Kraus intercepted a halfback option pass for the Mustangs early in the fourth quarter. Mike Jacob came up with another pick off Ludlowe quarterback Ferrara, who was 13-for-22 for 122 yards in the air.

Please sign the AWHS Class of 1976 Guest Book.

Visit the Andrew Warde High School Gift Shop.

Watch the AWHS 1976 vintage "film."