Newton County coach Bobby Bass has a pretty simple recipe for winning football games.
Bass wants the Cougars to use a tough, physical running game, play sound defense and be good in the special teams.
The Cougars did all of that, as they took a 35-14 win over Leake Central in the season opener for both teams on Friday.
Bass was pleased with what he saw as the Cougars run for 421 yards and dominate the line of scrimmage and only played 43 snaps on defense.
“I thought we ran the ball pretty good on offense,” Bass said. “We played good at times on defense. We were inconsistent at times which is driving me crazy. But it was great to come out of there with a win. I think our kids were more physical up front and I think we played as a team. That’s big for us.”
The game didn’t start off the way Bass had envisioned as Leake Central returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was blocked and Leake led 6-0.
“Probably the biggest thing I was upset with was that opening kickoff,” Bass said. “We have spent a lot of time on special teams and that made me madder than anything. We had 12 points on special teams but gave them six.”
The Cougars responded on the ensuing possession as Carlois Walker ripped off a 60-yard touchdown run. Damon Mapp ran in the two-point conversion as County took an 8-6 lead.
The Cougars then recovered the ensuing kick and got the ball right back. This time the Cougars had to settle for a 19-yard field goal from Lee Hill to take an 11-6 lead.
County extended the lead early in the second period as Deyvon May scored on a 77-yard run. Miguel Evans ran in the two-point conversion and County led 19-6.
After turning over Leake on downs, County answered with a six-play, 37-yard drive as Walker scored on a 1-yard run. The try for two failed and County led 25-6.
After turning Leake over on downs again, County put together a 14-play drive to end the second half as Hill booted a 29-yard field goal to take a 28-6 lead at the half.
“We only played 43 snaps on defense and the offense did a great job of controlling the clock and time of possession,” Bass said. “We had several kids that played with the effort that I want and expect. We have to understand that when we are defense, I want us playing with more energy and excitement. I have a few that if they are going to pay, they have to pick up that effort. They know I have high expectations.”
In the second half, County got a short field after a muffed punt by Leake Central gave the Cougars the ball at the 7. Two plays later, Mapp scored on a 2-yard run and Hill booted the PAT as County led 35-6.
Leake added a fourth-quarter score for the final margin.
Walker led the Newton County offense with 196 yards and two TDs on 27 carries. May had 139 yards and a TD on 13 carries.
“Our running backs had a good game and made some good cuts,” Bass said. “We didn’t have any pre-snap or post-snap penalties and knock on wood, we didn’t turn the all over. Learning how to do those little things and learning how not to lose is a big thing for us. You have to learn how not to lose before you learn how to win. We executed in key situations and executed in the red zone and on third downs. If you do those things, you will win in football.”
On defense, Collin Crowder had 11 solo tackles and two assists and also had a fumble recovery. Kaleb Blackwell had six solo tackles and three assists while Will Hillman had four solos and two assists. R.K. Kain had three solo tackles and four assists. Cam McDonald had three solo stops, three assists and two tackles for loss, including a sack.
