By Staff
Paula Merritt/The Meridian Star
RUMBLING ON Newton's Marquis Poole attempts to shake off a McLaurin defender.
By Jamie Sullivan/The Meridian Star
Nov. 10, 2001
NEWTON The Newton Tigers advanced to the second round of the Class 2A playoffs next week by defeating McLaurin 32-0 on Friday night.
As Newton made it's playoff debute for the first time in three years, they made it a memorable one for NHS head coach Brad Peterson.
Newton found the end zone on the second possesion, as Johnny Martin topped off a six-play drive, as he scampered 35 yards for the touchdown.
Newton attempted a two-point conversion, and it was good. However, due to a forward illegal pass the play was nulified, and the Tigers led 6-0.
McLaurin tried to answer, as they put a 15-play drive together, but it fell short on the one-foot line, as the Newton defense stepped up to make the stop.
Newton's next score came as the halftime horn blew. The Tigers drove down to the McLaurin 40-yard line, and with 8.5 seconds left on the clock, Newton called a time out. It proved to be worth the discussion.
Bobby Lindsey faked a reverse, and handed off to Brent McMillian who hit Laderrian Blaylock for a wide-open touchdown pass of 40 yards.
McMillian side snapped to Phillip Evans, who ran in the two-point conversion. Newton led the contest 14-0 at halftime.
After the Newton defense stiffened, the offense went back to work with workhorse Marquis Poole leading the way. Poole a 6-foot-1, 220-pound senior, carried the ball 26 times for 147 yards, and two touchdowns.
Poole found the end zone from the 2-yard line with 4:31 left in the third quarter. The PAT failed due to a bad snap. The Tigers extended their lead 20-0.
McLaurin fumbled the kick off, and Newton's Coshune Bingham came up with the loose ball.
Wth good field position, Newton found the end zone six plays later, when Poole hauled it in from the 4-yard line. The PAT was wide left, and the Tigers led 26-0.
The final score of the game came when Martin rambled 45-yards for the touchdaown. The PAT was wide left again, and the score stood 32-0.
Junior quarterback Blaylock said he was excited about the next round of the playoffs. "It feels good to be a junior quarterback, and be District Champs,and making it to the second round," he said.
The team was led in rushing by Poole with 147 yards. " My line gave me the holes I needed to make the runs," Poole said. "I give the Lord, and my line all the credit."
Next week, the 9-2 Tigers will host 9-2 Loyd Star in the second round of the playoffs at E.L. Morgan Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:30.
Jamie Sullivan is a sports writer for the Meridian Star. He can be reached by email at jsullivan@themeridianstar.com, or by phone at 693-1551 ext. 3226.