By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Kennedy Catholic High School graduate Cole Madison and the Washington State University Cougars are having no trouble getting psyched for this year's Apple Cup.

Not only are they playing rival University of Washington on the Huskies' home turf in their next football game Saturday, Nov. 25, but this year a Pac-12 North Division title is on the line.

If the Cougars, who are 9-2 overall, can win they will advance as division champions to the ensuing Pac-12 Conference championship game.

"We're real excited about it," said Madison, a senior offensive right tackle and a four-year starter for WSU. "It should be a good one."

Going up against the Huskies is never easy, but it's a challenge the Cougars feel they are up to.

"Really just playing our game, our best game," said Madison of the keys to the clash at Husky Stadium. "Our offense has not hit the key note yet. It would be nice to get that."

Madison uses his 6-foot, 5-inch 314-pound bulk to protect quarterback Luke Falk and pave the way for the running backs.

"I love it, I love the offensive line," Madison said in a phone interview from Pullman on Friday at the end of a bye week in the schedule. "Right tackle is a great position. It's a difficult position. You have (to cover) the speed guys, but it's a good position."

Madison knows a thing or two about other positions as well.

He played wide receiver in high school, and started off as a tight end his redshirt freshman year for the Cougars.

"I was a tight end for summer and fall camp, then switched to the offensive line," Madison said.

Madison was at a Washington State University camp for youths when he was discovered.

"I didn't get recruited much, just Idaho and some small schools," he said. "I came out here for a camp in the summer and the coaches liked how big I was and stuff. I impressed them, and a coach called."

His decision to become a Cougar quickly followed.

"I'm real happy," he said. "It worked out for me."

Madison was quickly tagged with his nickname "Moose" upon his arrival at WSU.

"That's what they call me over here," he said. "My freshman year they were giving out nicknames and mine was Palouse Moose because I'm big and can move fast."

Madison has been mostly a starter since his initial redshirt season, where he sat out to preserve another year of eligibility.

He likes this season the best out of his four.

"Hands down this is our best team since I've been here," he said. "The 2016 team set the corner stone for how we've played."

Madison also enjoyed his senior season at Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien.

"It seems like such a long time ago," he said. "It was such a great group of guys in high school football. My last year we made a good run at it. Great memories and friends I still talk to today."

Madison found the recent bye week to his liking as well, with the extra time it gave to prepare for the Huskies.

"It's a perfect time to get our bodies back and stuff," he said.

Madison takes to the great outdoors in the Palouse country of Eastern Washington whenever he gets a break in his schedule.

"I love to get outdoors hunting or fishing, one of the two," he said. "It's a great place for that over here."

When Madison is in the classroom he is majoring in Criminal Justice, but he has hopes of going to the National Football League next year.

"Right now I'm focused on this year and finishing school," he said. "Hopefully it happens, and if it does I will take advantage of it."