Newton County Academy football coach Rob Roberts was concerned that the lack of a scrimmage and a preseason jamboree might cause problems in the opener against Winston Academy.
His concern was justified Friday night.
The Generals were held to just 48 yards of total offense in a 14-0 loss to the Patriots Friday night. It was especially rough during the first half, when the Generals failed to make a first down.
Despite the trouble moving the ball, the defense played tough throughout the game. The Generals held the Patriots to just 233 total yards, 126 of which came on the only two touchdown plays.
“I didn’t think they played all that bad,” Roberts said. “I think our defense played pretty good. They just gave up a couple of big plays. Our line played pretty good. They are young. I figured our back would play a little better. We just made some mistakes. We haven’t had a scrimmage. We haven’t had a jamboree. We just got to get better.”
One of the bright spots was forcing the Patriots into six turnovers. Sage Gunn led the way with an interception and a fumble recovery.
It was a recovery by Braxton Rose on a muffed punt that set up the Generals in Patriot territory after NCA went three-and-out on the opening possession. However, the Generals went three-and-out again.
Fortunately, Kemp Aldermen pinned Winston Academy on its own 5-yard line on the ensuing punt. That led to Gunn’s interception, which again gave the Generals great field position in Winston territory.
Lincoln Jordan moved the Generals into the red zone after recovering yet another fumbled punt return. The Generals came up empty as they turned the ball over on downs at the Patriot 16.
The strong defensive effort continued, as Jordan Mason’s sack forced a Winston Academy punt at the end of the first quarter.
Moments into the second quarter, the Generals and Patriots exchanged turnovers on three consecutive plays. NCA’s Logan Tadlock recovered a Winston fumble while Patriots Chandler Wells and Noah Dempsey each intercepted passes.
Another Mason sack and a hurry by Alderman forced another Winston punt.
The Generals had one more shot in the first half after Austin Pippin recovered a fumble, but the first half clock ran out before the Generals could convert on the opportunity.
Winston’s Jesse Boydstun then took control of the game. He burst free for a 67-yard touchdown on the second play of the third quarter. Wade James added the extra point to give the Patriots a 7-0 lead.
Perhaps sparked by Winston’s score, the Generals picked up a first down, its first of the game, on a 20-yard pass to Luke Alexander from Logan Little. However, the drive stalled just inside Patriot territory.
When it appeared like Boydstun was going to lead Winston to another score, the General defense stiffened on a fourth-and-1 play, pushing him back for a two-yard loss.
Tadlock then tried to spark the General attack with a 12-yard run early in the fourth quarter, but the drive stalled at the Patriot 41.
From there, Boydstun provided his team insurance with a 59-yard touchdown run.
Josh Dearman gave his team one last shot by recovering another Winston fumble, this time at the Patriot 25, but the fourth down pass fell incomplete.
The Generals fell to 0-1 on the season.
