By By Jamie Sullivan/The Meridian Star
Nov, 17, 2001
NEWTON The Newton Tigers fumbled their way out of the third round of the 5-2A playoffs after losing to Loyd Star 20-6, here Friday night at E.L Morgan Field.
Loyd Star head coach Anthony Hart knew it was going to be a tough fight for his Hornets. "We knew it was going to be hard. Newton has a great team, and they gave us some opportunities early, but we could not take advantage. All in all, I'm proud of my boys."
Newton fumbled on its first possession and the Hornets went to work on their own 21 yard line. However, two plays later Justin Gibbs came away with a loose ball to give Newton hope once again in the first quarter. Newton was forced to punt, and Loyd Star was unable to mount an offensivecampaign.
The Tigers got the ball once more in the first quarter, but Matthew Bearden snapped the ball over the head of Laderrian Blaylock, and Loyd Star recovered its second fumble of the night.
In the middle of the second quarter, Loyd Star's Cody Covington recovered a loose ball on the Newton 14 yard line. After three attempts at the end zone, Loyd Star attempted a 24 yard field goal, that was blocked by Newton's Nicholas Robinson.
Ginog to work from it's own 14 yard line, Newton started a six play drive, but the seventh play of the drive proved to be costly. Blaylock's pass was picked off by Sam Ellet, and returned 30 yards to the Newton 23 yard line.
With less than 1:00 left in the first half, Newton's defense arose to the challenge of keeping the Hornets scoreless.
Loyd Star quarterback, Ellet hit Adam Speeg in the backfield on a swing pass. As he turned up field Torrance Blaylock made a touchdown saving tackle to expire the clock.
The halftime score stood 0-0.
In the third period, Newton put a seven play driver together with Marquis Poole scoring from the 1 yard line. Zack Logan added the PAT, and the Tigers took a 7-0.
Logans' kickoff was returned 25 yards to set up the first of three touchdowns for the Hornets.
Loyd Star moved the ball from its own 46 yard line in only three plays to knot the score.
Speeg dashed in from 1 yard to make the score 7-6 Newton. Jody Britt added the PAT to make the score 7-7.
The next Hornet score came with 10:16 left in third quarter. Speeg bounced eight yards for a touchdown taking lead 13-7. Britt was true, and the Hornets led 14-7.
Newton got one more chance to score, late in the fourth quarter, but a fumble spoiled the plan.
Loyd Star recovered the fumble and, three plays later, Derrick Johnson scampered 44 yards for the final touch down. The PAT failed, and the score stood 20-7.
The 10-2 Hornets will advance to play Wesson next Friday night at Loyd Star. After the suffering the lose, Newton finished its season 9-3.
Jamie Sullivan is a sports writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail at jsullivan@themeridianstar.com, or call 693-1551, ext. 3235.