By Kalle Oakes,Staff Writer

MADISON – The first half of Livermore Falls High School’s football schedule has been brutal. No problem, though, because the Andies, themselves, are even tougher.

Quarterback Mike Nichols wears a cast on one hand and has elected to skip surgery until the season’s over. There’s not enough athletic tape in the world to properly shield fullback Ryan Webster’s battered ribs from more breathtaking punishment.

As for Livermore Falls’ playoff aspirations, once held together by a band-aid, they’re alive and well after a 26-12 triumph Friday night over Madison.

Winners of two straight games after consecutive losses to Lisbon, Foxcroft and Boothbay to christen the campaign, the Andies (2-3) aren’t flashy, or even healthy. But they’re headed in the right direction in the Western Class C standings.

“Every game’s a playoff game the rest of the season,” said Webster.

Between howls of pain as Madison helmets and flailing arms took their toll on his bruised midsection, Webster carried 31 times for 133 yards and three touchdowns.

“I took a hit the week before the Boothbay game, and my ribs haven’t felt right since,” said Webster. “They got me good a couple of times tonight.”

The three-headed backfield of Webster, Karlton Jones (17 carries, 90 yards) and Mark O’Shea loomed just as largely on defense, where Mike Durrell, Craig Jackman and Milton Parlin also made numerous tackles.

“We just keep grinding,” said Livermore Falls coach Brad Bishop. “We don’t have a lot of great skill position players, but we have some good, tough backs.”

Livermore Falls faced another top-notch runner in Madison senior Woody Noyes, containing him to 18 carries for 104 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown.

Noyes had another long, potential game-tying touchdown called back in the third quarter, leaving both sides frustrated with bizarre officiating.

“This an excellent group of kids,” sad Madison coach Joe Hayden, who had only 18 players in uniform. “But they never get the breaks, and they certainly never get the calls.”

Livermore Falls ran at will between the tackles, scoring on its last three full possessions of the first half to build an 18-12 lead at the break.

If the Andies needed additional spark, it came in the form of a non-call that put Madison on the board first with a wacky special teams touchdown. Punter Josiah Wing was forced to retreat almost to his own end zone to retrieve a high snap. Wing rolled to his right and hit Tim Fortin with a desperation heave near the Madison 20.

Fortin broke a tackle and escaped down the home sideline for what officially was a 56-yard score that stood despite the appearance of ineligible receivers downfield.

The Andies sputtered to three-and-out on their ensuing series, but then Livermore began to prosper behind the front five of Durrell, Dylan Braley, Jackman, Josh Thurlow and Rory Young.

Webster tied the game with a 12-yard rush, following right tackle and spinning left with 2:17 remaining in the first quarter. O’Shea punctuated an 11-play parade with a 14-yard scoring run.

Next, Jones and Kyle Stebbins combined to force a Wing fumble, which Webster recovered to set up his second score of the half. The 2-yard plunge made it 18-6 with 2:44 to go.

“I love our offense,” Webster said. “The Wing-T fits our team perfectly. We get to hit and run over people.”

Noyes brought the Bulldogs (1-4) within six on his long TD scamper. When Madison’s third-quarter drive fizzled after the penalty, however, Livermore Falls pounded away for nearly six minutes, ending in Webster’s 4-yard surge. O’Shea rushed for the two-point conversion.

Stebbins had an interception to help protect the Andies’ advantage in the fourth.