Madison’s Hail Mary was answered in Week 5, but a victory still evaded the Blue Streaks in a 7-6 loss at Lutheran West. After giving up a touchdown with 17 seconds remaining, Madison got a long kickoff return from junior Patrick Clark to put the Blue Streaks in position for a throw to the end zone on the final play of the game. “Will Randall threw it about 50 yards in the air,” Madison coach Mike Gilligan said. “We had four guys running vertical routes to the end zone. Will Smith stepped in front of a defender, the ball hit him right in the stomach — touchdown.” With no time left on the clock, the dilemma was then to kick the extra point or go for the win. With three players having already exited the game via injuries, Gilligan opted to go for the win. But the final pass fell incomplete. “It seems like we were a little flat coming into the game,” Gilligan said. “Our kids maybe underestimated them a little bit. They were 0-4 coming in, but that’s a pretty good football team; a physical team.” The biggest question heading into a Week 6 game at Lakeside is health. Tight end Ryan Radkowski, receiver Knolan Albert and tackle Gavin Montagner all exited the game at Lutheran West with injuries. Alexander Davis, who starts at linebacker and plays multiple skilled positions on offense, sat out the game with an injury, as well. “We’ve got to see who we’re getting back this week,” Gilligan said. “Those are types of games we’ve got to learn how to win.” Related Articles Area cross country runners top times for Sept. 19 High school cross country: Multitude of strategies pay dividends at McDonough Invitational Area cross country runners top times for Sept. 12 Former Northern Illinois QB Josh Haldi of Madison beaming with pride after upset of Notre Dame North at Madison football: Preview capsule for Sept. 6 game