By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Nov. 15, 2002
The Newton County Cougars had no problem reaching the second round of the Class 3A playoffs as they disposed of North Pike 36-0 last week.
Second-round action finds the Cougars, 11-0, hosting Franklin County, 9-2, tonight at 7 p.m.
Franklin beat Carthage 34-20 last week at Meadville.
During the regular season, Newton County beat Carthage 34-0, while Franklin beat North Pike 19-3.
Franklin fullback Cecil Kenzie (5-8, 205, Sr.) rushed for three touchdowns in the win over Carthage. Bulldog quarterback Colby Beach (6-1, 185, Sr.) threw for one touchdown and ran for another.
Leading the Franklin defense are lineman Jason Wyatt (6-2, 238, Sr.) and defensive back Jasper O'Quinn (5-10, 170, So.).
Franklin is led by former West Lauderdale head coach Anthony Hart, who led the Knights to their only win in the 12-game series with Newton County in 1997.
The teams have met only once previously with Newton County taking a 32-7 win in the 1990 playoffs.
For the season, tackle Michael Johnson leads the Cougar defense with 80 tackles. Nose guard Josh Avant and linebacker Terrance Patrick both have 76, Derek Mapp has 66, and Dexter McCune has 58.
Offensively, Darryl Mapp has 173 carries for 1,336 yards and 18 touchdowns. David Fielder has 600 yards on 98 carries, Colby Amis has 310 yards on 79 carries, and Patrick has 299 yards on 58 carries.
Amis is 35-of-87 passing for 550 yards and six touchdowns and five interceptions. Delvion Merrill is by far the leading receiver with 16 catches for 240 yards and four touchdowns.
Both teams are loaded with seniors as Franklin has 20 and Newton County has 19.