It was a battle of heavyweights in high school football as two teams with a combined nine State Championship met in Newton Friday night.
The Eagles used a hook and ladder play in the fourth quarter that resulted in a 46 yard touchdown which proved to be the difference in their 20-14 win over West Orange-Stark.
In the first half Newton took advantage of two Mustang turnovers to take a 14-0 lead. WOS got back into it just before the half when they converted a fourth and 12 on a pass from Jarren Terrell to Elijah Gales. Gales took the next play into the end zone from 10 yards out to cut the lead to seven.
In the second half both teams battled and beat each other up. Neither scored in the third quarter.
In the fourth, on a second an 18, the Eagles ran a perfect hook and ladder. A pass from Nathan Williams to Dominique Spikes, who then pitched it to Deanthony Gatson who was trailing the play. He ran it in for a 46 yd. score. The two point conversion was missed making it 20-7.
WOS was forced to go to the air and the team responded quickly. Terrell hit Jaden Jones on a pass across the middle. Jones did a great job of shaking the would-be tackler and scored from 68 out. Angel Ibarra kicked the PAT and WOS was down by six.
The WOS Defense gave the offense the ball back with a few minutes left after Newton went three and out.
On their final drive, a 21 yd. pass and a defensive penalty game the Mustangs the ball at midfield with seconds left, but Newton’s Zac Gulley out jumped a WOS receiver and intercepted the ball to seal the victory.
It’s the 33rd straight win for the 3-0 Eagles. The Mustangs (2-1) will come home next Friday and take on the Crosby Cougars.
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