By By Marty Stamper/EMG sports assistant
November 16, 2002
DECATUR Newton County's defense has gotten its share of attention throughout the 2002 season. The Cougar D' didn't do anything to damage its reputation in Friday's 17-0 Class 3A second-round playoff win over Franklin County.
In collecting their seventh shutout, the Cougars, 12-0, held the Bulldogs to minus-10 yards total offense for the game. Franklin County picked up a first down on its first play from scrimmage and got three on one series in the second quarter and that would be all.
The Bulldogs, 9-3, went three-and-out three times in the third quarter and went four-and-out on their only possession in the fourth quarter.
Of Franklin's 35 offensive plays, 27 went for no gain or negative yardage. An additional three plays netted just one yard apiece. The Bulldog offensive highlights were a pair of 11-yard receptions.
The Cougars sputtered offensively in the early going with a lost fumble putting the Bulldogs in business at the NCHS 35. Two plays later, David Fielder recovered a Bulldog fumble to end the threat.
The Cougars drove from their 37 to the Franklin 35 where Mylan Anderson was well short on a 52-yard field goal attempt early in the second period.
The Bulldogs got three of their four first downs on a drive that started at their 20 and reached the Cougar 39 before quarterback Colby Beach was sacked by John Kidd for an 11-yard loss on second down. Beach's woes continued on third down when his middle screen was intercepted by Michael Johnson and returned to the Franklin 30.
Seven plays later, Darryl Mapp took a pitch around right end for a 3-yard touchdown with 13.3 seconds to go in the first half. Taylor Nichols added the extra point.
The Cougars had a chance to expand their lead before intermission when they recovered a squib kick at the Franklin 37. Anderson came in to attempt a 54-yard field goal which fell just short as Newton County carried a 7-0 lead into halftime.
The Bulldogs mishandled the second half kickoff and wound up with the ball at their own 6. Newton County took advantage of a 27-yard punt by Byron Brooks to put together a seven-play, 25-yard march that was capped by a 23-yard field goal by Anderson for a 10-0 lead with 6:36 showing in the third period.
Anderson missed a 50-yard field goal with 2:17 left in the third period.
The Cougars put together a vintage 15-play, 59-yard scoring drive to open the fourth quarter. Mapp had 12 carries on the drive and accounted for 45 yards. Mapp scored just inside the left pylon from six yards out with only 4:48 remaining. Nichols' PAT gave the Cougars a 17-0 lead.
Newton County had only 204 total yards with Mapp accounting for 115 yards on 35 carries. Fielder had 33 yards on eight rushes.
Newton County will travel to Heidelberg next week. The Oilers edged Hazlehurst 16-14.