REXBURG – Madison coach Chandler Rhoads said before Friday’s season opener against Bonneville the goal is to set the tone early, establish home-court advantage and be physical.

This may sound like typical trainer-speak, but if it works, it works.

The Bobcats scored 34 points in the first half and beat the Bees 41-6 in non-league play.

“Playing Week 0 is tough because there’s not a lot of practice time,” Rhoads said. “We have one week of fall camp and next week is game week. You’re kind of thrown in the deep end, but I was really pleased with how our guys set the tone physically in the first half.”

The Bobcats scored on their first possession as the offense launched a fierce seven-play attack that was capped by a nine-yard touchdown run by Bryce Dredge.

The defense set up the next point by forcing a fumble deep in Bonneville territory. Quarterback Hazen Torgerson capitalized with a one-yard run.

Despite a heavy downpour for most of the first half, Madison’s offense did not let up.

Torgerson scored another running point and then found the ball to Baden Wheeler for a 32-yard touchdown with 23 seconds left in the half.

“We weren’t ready,” Bonneville coach Shane Stephenson said, noting that some of the younger players were nervous on opening day and made too many mistakes against a good Madison team.

The good news is that everything is repairable, he said.

“I’m not worried,” he said. “We’ll be fine. We just need to focus on a few basic things.”

The Bees’ offensive highlight came in the third quarter when Eli Hamilton found Jaxon Ellsworth on the left side of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown. Ellsworth jumped higher than the defenders and made the play.

Bonneville plays at defending state champion Bishop Kelly next Friday, while Madison hosts Hillcrest.