One of the goals the seniors on the Seymour High School football team had this fall was to go unbeaten on the turf at Bulleit Stadium.

When the Owls beat Madison Friday, they accomplished that goal with a record of 4-0.

One of those players who has made major contributions this season is Caleb Madden.

“Senior night was special just being the last guaranteed home game of the regular season and also being the last regular season game going out there and putting everything you had out there for everyone to see,” Madden said. “The home games are fun. It’s fun playing for your home crowd, and having people you know cheer for you is always fun.”

Madden began playing football in seventh grade and has primarily played on the defensive line this season.

“I play defensive end. I play on the weak side,” Madden said. “We usually call strength, and I line up opposite of that strength. Usually, it’s a tackle, but it could be a split end or tight end or if we call a certain shift it could be over the guard. Sometimes, I could be over the center, depending on the formation.”

Going into the sectional, he ranks second on the team in tackles with 17 solos and 57 assists for 74 total tackles. He leads the Owls in sacks with 2.5.

“I like the physicality that defense brings,” Madden said. “I enjoy that a lot. Quickness and hands are a big part of my game.”

He said his key depends on where he lines up.

“I have gap responsibility, so say the running back goes into the gap, I have the running back,” Madden said. “If I go outside, I could have quarterback contain. There’s a lot of different things.

“You’ve just got to prepare yourself the best you can before each game, try to pick up their tendencies and all sorts of different things like that. Practice is very important. We go over a lot of their tendencies, what their passing formations are, what their running formations are, how often they tend to run or pass.”

Madden has seen the importance of spending time in the weight room.

“For me, the weight room is especially important considering I’m not a bigger guy. I’m smaller (6-0, 195 pounds) compared to a lot of the opponents, so being stronger and quicker on my feet gives me an advantage against those bigger guys,” Madden said. “It helps a lot of our team because we’re not necessarily a big team, so being strong in what we do helps us a lot.”

Madden said he will remember all of the friendships made through football.

“The biggest thing I’ve enjoyed is the friendships made,” he said. “That’s a big part of the game, too, being able to trust the guy beside you, knowing that they have your back and you have theirs. One of the biggest parts of my game is probably mentally prepping myself to know I trust what I have and I can accomplish what I put my mind to.”

The Owls are preparing for a sectional game against the winner of New Albany and Columbus East a week from Friday.

“I’m just looking forward to the competition because this is when everyone turns it on,” Madden said. “The best team advances, so if you don’t put it all out there, you’ll regret the results. This (senior) group has been together for a while, so we know each other really well, and that’s been helpful in bonding.”

Madden said he plans on throwing the shot put and discus again in the spring as a member of the track and field team.

“I like both of them, but if I had to pick one, it would probably be discus,” Madden said. “My longest throw is around 140 feet. I’ve thrown the shot put around 45 feet.”

Madden has enjoyed attending SHS.

“I’ve enjoyed the athletics because I feel like in a way, that brings all the students together that are into that,” he said. “I’d say the No. 1 thing I’ll remember is all the friendships that will carry on through my lifetime.”

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Name: Caleb Madden

High school: Seymour

Parents: Mark and Dina Madden

Sibling: Colin

Sports: Football, four years; track and field, four years

Athletic highlight: All-county 2017

Organizations: Fellowship of Christian Athletes, 4-H, Special Olympics

Plans after high school: Attend University of Indianapolis

Favorite food: Chicken

Favorite musician: Ryan Upchurch

Favorite team: University of Kentucky

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