The game of the night in Idaho pitted the state’s No. 1 team in the Madison Bobcats visiting Holt Arena to take on No. 2 Highland, and it more than lived up to the hype.

    Madison defeated the Rams 24-21 thanks to five Highland turnovers, four coming in the redzone, and retained its title as the team to beat in Idaho.

    “You’re not going to win many games having five turnovers,” said a very upset Highland head coach Gino Mariani after the game. “We did that to ourselves.”

    Despite the sloppy play, Highland still had an opportunity to tie the game late, but Dallan Rodriguez’s 33-yard attempt with 1:41 left on the clock bounced off the right upright and harmlessly fell to the turf.

    That miss combined with no timeouts remaining for Highland allowed the Bobcats to kneel down and run out the clock to preserve their victory.

    “We kept fighting and gave ourselves chances, but you’re not going to beat good teams having five turnovers.” Mariani said. “It’s ridiculous. We should have been (up) 35-7 at the half.”

    The turnover bug bit the Rams early as consecutive drives into Madison territory ended with senior quarterback Neil Jewell being intercepted in the endzone. Highland was on the 10-yard line the first time and the 18 the second.

    After scoring on a 34-yard pass from Jewell to Colton Shreve, the Rams’ next possession saw Christian Atkinson fumble the ball into the endzone that gave the Bobcats the ball on the 20.

    “That’s all execution, that’s being lazy with your thoughts,” Mariani said. “I’m so frustrated right now. That’s a lack of courage. I don’t know what to say other than that.”

    Despite coughing up the ball in crucial moments, the Rams continued to fight and had a few moments of brilliance that kept them in the game.

    Down 21-7 just before halftime, Highland had the ball on the Madison 48 as the clock showed all zeros. Thanks to offsetting penalties, the Rams had one more shot. Jewell launched a Hail Mary to back of the endzone, which senior Aaron Thomson hauled between a pair of Madison defenders.

    Holt Arena exploded as Highland went into the locker room with momentum.

    The second half turned into a defensive battle as the Rams went to their running game early. Highland drove the ball down to the Madison 19-yard line thanks to six straight rushes, but senior running back Michael Beseris fumbled on the next play and the Bobcats regained possession.

    “We’re going to fight, we’re not going to give up,” Mariani said. “You’re not going to win many games having five turnovers against good teams.”

    But the Highland defense held and the Rams were back in business, facing first and 23 from their own 10 after a holding penalty. Jewell broke free on a designed quarterback keeper, raced up the sideline and beat three Madison defenders to the endzone for a 90-yard scoring run.

    It was tied 21-21 at that point.

    On the Bobcats’ next possession, Highland held strong and forced a field goal attempt, which Dan Jones nailed from 26 yards out.

    With 6:45 to go, the Rams had to find a way to score while bleeding the clock.

    After converting on a fourth and five, Highland drove to the Madison 17 and faced another fourth down. Mariani elected to go for the tie, but Rodriguez missed the kick by a matter of inches.

    Mariani was happy with his team’s resilience, but is disappointed with the lack of discipline in crucial moments.

    “(I have to) find some guys that want to play, more or less,” he said of how to fix the problem. “We’re dropping balls everywhere, we’re fumbling balls everywhere. Take your turn. That’s too bad.”

    Madison goes to 8-0 and 3-0 in 5A Fifth-Sixth District play and will retain its top ranking in the state.

    Highland falls to 6-2 and 2-1.

    The physical contest at Holt featured two teams that like to make their mark through the air. Anderson had thrown 35 times by the end of the second quarter for Madison as he finished the game with 324 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions on 34-of-52 passing.

    Jewell countered with 263 yards, two scored and two picks, going 19-of-27. He also led the way rushing as he had 138 yards and a score on five carries.

    Highland finishes regular season play against Idaho Falls at Ravsten Stadium next Friday. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.