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VIENNA -- The back half of Madonna's schedule will have the Blue Dons playing three of their last five games at home. To get there, however, the Blue Dons have one more trip left to wrap up a three-game road swing.
That trip happens tonight as Madonna heads north to Vienna to take on Mathews in the Thursday night showdown at Booster Field.
Madonna is looking to get itself back in the win column, coming off back-to-back losses against a couple of good opponents in Southern Garrett (Md.) and Conotton Valley. This week's opponent, the Mustangs, also have a winning record, sitting at 3-2.
Mathews, coached by Matt Polta, have had an up and down run so far this season, alternating wins and losses.
They defeated Jackson-Milton 34-27 in Week 1 before falling to Columbiana 20-6 in Week 2, both at home. They won their first road game at Newton Falls in Week 3, 28-7, before dropping a home game to Pymatuning Valley 31-14. Last week the Mustangs bounced back with a 32-28 victory on the road at Leetonia.
They have scored 114 points (22.8 per game) and allowed a near identical 113 (22.6 per game).
Polta is in his third season leading Mathews after taking over for Bill Bohren in 2023. So far, it is his best season.
The Mustangs, who are looking to end a four-year playoff hiatus, sit No. 8 in the Ohio Division VII, Region 25 standings at the halfway point of the season.
For Madonna, the time is now if they are going to make a push for the playoffs in their first season back on the field. Sitting at 1-3 and 26th in the Class A standings, 10 spots out of the playoff race, there is not much margin for error left.
If the Dons are coach Shawn McKinnon are going to make a push for the postseason, look for it to be led by senior tailback Thomas Davdison.
Davidson has racked up 490 yards in four games on 45 carries, an average of 122.5 yards per game and 10.9 yards per carry. He has scored seven of Madonna's 10 touchdowns so far this season.
As a team, the Blue Dons have rushed for 588 yards (147 per game) while only throwing the ball an average of 13 times per contest. Nine of 10 scores have come on the ground, Connor Lancaster and Brennan Gray accounting for the other two end zone trips on the ground.
When they do throw it, Tyler Dillon is the leading target with five catches for 74 yards and the lone receiving TD.