The Newton County Academy Generals will try to rebound from a two-win season as they head into the 2019 football season.
The Generals have several new teams on the schedule this season.
NCA will open the season on Aug. 23 at they travel to Porter’s Chapel. The Eagles were 1-9 last year but will be moving down in classification.
“We haven’t played them in several years,” NCA coach Rob Roberts said. “We used to play them and used to be in the district with them. They were up in class, but now they have come back down.”
The Generals will then host Benton Academy in their home opener on Aug. 30. Benton was 0-10 last year and NCA beat the Raiders 42-14.
“They are down pretty bad right now,” Roberts said. “They were in our district last year, but got moved north. We only won two games last year, and that was one of them.”
After Benton, the Generals will host Oak Hill on Sept. 6. Last year, the Raiders went 5-7 and beat the Generals 9-7 in the second game of the season.
“It’s been a really competitive game,” Roberts said. “We have lost a couple of close ones and won a couple of close ones. We are about the same size school. I don’t know what they will have but I expect it to be a close, physical game.”
The Generals will then hit the road as they travel to Wayne Academy, a team that beat them 20-7 last year and made the second round of the Class AAA playoffs and finished 6-6 on the season.
“We always play them, and they are bigger than us, but I know they lost a lot of seniors off last year’s team,” Roberts said. “They have a new coach, so you don’t know what to expect out of them this year.”
NCA will then return home for a two-game home stand as they host Carroll Academy. Last year, the Rebels went 7-4 and lost to Centreville 40-14 in the first round of the Class AA playoffs. Carroll beat NCA 25-6 last year.
“We won the first one and they beat us last year,” Roberts said. “They are a big, physical team and it was a physical game last year. I expect it to be another good game this year.”
On Sept. 27, the Generals will host Winona Christian. The Stars were 8-4 last year and won their district before losing in the second round of the Class AA playoffs to Centreville 38-14.
“That’s a new team for us,” Roberts said. “I know they were really good last year, but I don’t really know what to expect out of them.”
The Generals will then open district play on Oct. 4 at Amite. The Rebels were 1-10 last year and were outscored 139-427. Amite beat NCA 24-18 in the playoffs two years ago.
“They put us out of the playoffs two years ago,” Roberts said. “They are always a scrappy bunch. It will be our first district game so that’s always a big game.”
Then the Generals will make a third straight trip to Sylva Bay to take on the rival Saints, who are coached by former ECCC coach Terry Underwood. The Saints went 10-3 last year and beat the Generals twice, winning 46-14 in game 3 and then 46-19 to open the playoffs.
“We have to go down there again,” Roberts said. “They won the district last year. They had a good team last year and put us out of the playoffs. I don’t know what they have coming back or what they might have picked up, but I know Coach Underwood does a good job with them.”
The Generals will then take a break from district as they travel to traditional power Tri-County on Oct. 18. Tri-County was 8-4 last year and lost 27-24 in the second round of the playoffs to Sylva Bay.
“They are a bigger school and always a good gate for us,” Roberts said. “It’s always been a good game for us. It’s a good game to see where we stand. They have a new coach, so you don’t know what they are going to do or how they are going to be.”
The Generals will then close the regular season on Oct. 25 as they take on new district opponent Centreville. The Tigers were 8-6 last year but made the Class AA title game before losing to Greenville St. Joseph 42-22.
“We have never played them in football,” Roberts said. “But I know they always have a good football team. That’s Bill Hurst’s team and he is probably one of the winningest coaches in the state of Mississippi. You know they will be good.”
