Newton coach Zack Grady knows they had their chances, but they just couldn’t execute.
Newton had two good drives into the North Forrest red zone end in turnovers, while the defense just ran out of gas, as the Tigers fell 24-0 to the visiting Eagles Friday night at E.L. Morgan Field.
“It’s all about execution, and we just didn’t execute tonight,” Grady said. “The effort was good and we just ran out of gas at the end. It’s disappointing, but we will rebound.”
The Tigers took the opening kickoff and drove to the North Forrest 20-yard line when it appeared like Tyreke Snow had found Kaleb Traxler on a 20-yard touchdown pass. However, the play was called back due to a block-in-the-back penalty. Two plays later, the Eagles intercepted a pass and ended the thread.
Newton, however, responded as Javonte Robinson recovered a fumble for the Tigers. However, the turnovers continued as the Eagles intercepted the ball back and took over.
North Forrest got on the board in the third quarter on a 1-yard touchdown run to cap a 65-yard drive.
Newton once again drove into the North Forrest red zone. A fumble at the 11-yard line allowed the Eagles to take over and drive 89 yards. North Forrest hit big plays of 46 and 39 yards that led to a 4-yard touchdown run.
Disaster struck midway through the fourth quarter when Newton threw an interception that was returned 40 yards for a touchdown.
After one last fumble, North Forrest tacked on a 20-yard touchdown run with 2:44 to go in the game.
The Tigers will host homecoming Friday night at E.L. Morgan Field against Heidelberg.
