In a game of big plays, it was Newton County Academy that came out on the short end, falling 36-7 to rival Sylva Bay on Thursday night.
The Generals are now 3-5 on the season and will host Tri-County Academy on Friday night before finishing the regular season with Centreville.
It was a frustrating night for veteran NCA coach Rob Roberts who lost to his rivals from Bay Springs for the third straight time.
“It was just one thing after another,” Roberts said. “I thought we came out and played well and shut down their two-tight slot offense that they have been really good in the last couple of weeks. So, they got out of that and were able to hit some big plays. I told them wherever No. 1 lined up at, that’s where the ball was going and that’s what they did. That’s the frustrating part, we knew where the ball was going and still couldn’t stop it.”
The Generals had all of the momentum early as they forced a Sylva Bay punt and recovered a fumble at the Saints 22. Three plays later, Zander Meeks hit Wesley Williams for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Hayden West booted the PAT and NCA led 7-0 early.
The Generals got the ball right back as Williams recovered . But the Generals turned the ball over on downs and Sylva Bay started to pick up steam on offense.
The Saints then drove 75 yards in nine plays and scored on a 7-yard pass with 1:40 left in the first. The try for two failed and NCA still led 7-6.
After swapping punts, Meeks threw an interception that was returned 63 yard for a touchdown as the Saints took a 12-7 lead.
NCA was forced to punt on its next possession and sailed the snap over Kemp Alderman’s head, giving them the ball at the Generals’ 28. The Saints went the 28 in three plays and scored on a 1-yard run to go up 20-7.
The Saints got an interception and ended the half with a 34-yard touchdown pass to lead 28-7 at the half. The Saints added a second-half touchdown for the final margin.
“We gave up too many big plays,” Roberts said. “You can’t do that against good teams. It was mostly the long runs and long pass plays that beat us. But at least it was a good clean game and there wasn’t any of that smack talking like it’s been in the last couple of years.”
On offense, Meeks was 13-of-23 passing for 154 yards while the Generals rushed for 74 yards on 30 carries for 224 yards of total offense. Hayden West had seven catches for 60 yards. Alderman had six carries for 38 yards.
On defense, Alderman had 13 tackles while Colby Hollingsworth had 12 stops. Jordan Mason, Lee Hollingsworth and Jordan Mason each had nine tackles apiece. Zack Evans had six tackles while Hayden West, Wesley Williams and Trey Terrell each had four tackles.
