Defense leads Newton to third straight win
Newton coach Zack Grady knows the recipe for the Tigers’ success has been simple: get a lead, and the defense does the rest.
That formula worked once again Friday
Newton grabbed a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter, and that’s all the scoring they would need, as that score held up as the final score on the night.
The Tiger defense was stingy, only allowing 55 yards and three first downs for the entire night.
Grady doesn’t apologize for their style of play because he knows it can be successful.
“We’re not the Newton of old where we’re going to throw it 80 times,” Grady said. “We’re going to run the football, play hard-nosed defense and try not to turn the football over. And that’s how you win playoff football. That’s our goal. That’s how we practice, and that’s how we’re going to play.”
Thanks to the reliable punting of Lawrence Morris, Newton was able to play the field position game to get its only score. After the second Morris punt put Hazlehurst at its own 9-yard line, Newton was able to get the ball back in good field position at the Hazlehurst 41.
Three straight runs by Avante Flowers, including a 15-yard run, put Newton in the red zone. Morris did the rest, as he scampered eight yards for the game’s only score after the PAT was wide right.
After the ensuing kickoff, Hazlehurst had its best field position of the night. They returned the kickoff deep inside Newton territory. However, a penalty negated the end of the run, setting up Hazlehurst at the Newton 46. A holding penalty pushed Hazlehurst back across the 50-yard line, and that would be the last time Hazlehurst would be in the home team’s territory.
Newton had one last chance to score before the half, after they flipped the field once again shortly before the half. A sack on fourth down ended the threat at the Hazlehurst 44.
After halftime, Newton had a chance to add to their lead, as Morris hooked up with Isaiah Johnson for a 37-yard pass, setting up Newton at the 4-yard line. However, Hazlehurst recovered a fumble at the 6 to end the threat.
At the end of the third quarter, Kezerrian Wash recovered a fumble that was caused by Autavius Hardy at the Hazlehurst 35, but Newton could not move it any close before having to punt.
Hazlehurst would have three more possessions before time ran out, but they could get no closer than their 43-yard line.
Grady said moving forward, he needs for his team to stay focused.
“The kids worked really hard, but we’ve got to stop celebrating Monday through Thursday,” Grady said. “The kids are excited about winning, but we’ve got to practice a little bit harder. If we do that, we’ll be better.”
Morris led the offense with 54 yards on 20 carries. He also completed five of 12 passes for 56 yards.
