How much difference a year makes for the rivalry game between Newton County and Union.
After the Yellowjackets throttled the Cougars a year ago, the Cougars returned the favor, as Newton County dominated Union 28-7 Friday night in Decatur.
The biggest difference between the game this year and last year might have been the impact of Carlois Walker. The junior racked up 213 yards rushing on 24 carries with two touchdowns, as the Cougars finished with nearly 300 yards rushing.
One thing that both Newton County coach Bobby Bass and Union coach Jordan Wren said was that Newton County was a completely different football team from a year ago.
“We’re not the same team as we were last year,” Bass said. “A lot of people think we’re the same team that may have played them early in the year last year, but we’re not them anymore. If you play us know, you’d better have it strapped up.”
Wren tried to stress to his Union team that they should expect a different football team going into the game.
“I tried to stress to them, ‘Guys, this isn’t going to be the 42-15 game you had last year,’” Wren said. “Carlois is a great back. We had issues tackling him tonight. That’s what happens when you have new kids who haven’t experienced a game like this. It’s a growing up stage for us. I’m glad it happened against Newton County versus a district game.”
That was true of the Cougar attack Friday night. All but 18 yards came on the ground, as Newton County only completed four of nine passes, but they didn’t need it.
After the teams traded possessions, County punter Lee Hill and the coverage team executed their job perfectly, after the punt team downed the ball on the Union 2-yard line.
On the next play, the defense led by Cameron McDonald, Miguel Evans and Jamario Ickom tackled Union quarterback Kenyon Clay in the end zone for a safety.
The Cougars took advantage of the short field on the free kick, as Walker scored his first touchdown of the night from two yards out to give Newton County an 8-0 lead.
The Yellowjackets came right back, as Clay hit Mark Jones for a 25-yard touchdown pass. Henry Thornton nailed the PAT to cut their deficit to 8-7 moments into the third quarter.
Newton County came back down the field and scored on Carlonte Walker’s 25-yard sprint around right end. The swinging gate 2-point conversion failed, but Newton County led 14-7.
Then after Koye Hardaway recovered a Union fumble on the next possession, Damon Mapp scored on a 1-yard quarterback draw. The Cougars let 21-7 at halftime thanks to the Lee Hill PAT.
The defenses for both teams settled in for the third quarter. But a key moment came at the end of the third quarter. Union was held on fourth-and-long and turned the ball over on downs.
Then on the first play of the fourth quarter, Carlois Walker sealed the win with a 56-yard touchdown run. Hill’s PAT made the final margin 28-7.
Carlonte Walker was the second leading rusher with 38 yards and a touchdown for County while Devyon May had 32 yards on seven carries. Mapp also had 14 yards on four carries.
Colin Crowder led the Newton County defense with 22 tackles (14 solo and 8 assists) while Hardaway had 13 tackles while Evans had 12 including two for a loss.
Jaylon Buckley led the Union ground attack with 80 yards on 18 carries. Clay had 34 yards on nine carries before an injury limited his action down the stretch.
Jones finished with 152 yards receiving on five receptions. Ky’Yon Harris had seven tackles and an interception. Eli Rigdon also finished with two tackles for a loss.
Jaylon Buckley runs the ball against Newton County. | Brent Maze
Damon Mapp scrambles for a first down. | Brent Maze
Davarian McDonald helps lead the way for Carlois Walker. | Brent Maze/The Appeal
Carlois Walker takes a knee in the end zone after scoring a touchdown as Devyon May comes over to celebrate. | Brent Maze
Union's Mark Jones is pushed out of bounds by several Newton County players. | Brent Maze
Carlois Walker runs free against Union. | Brent Maze
