By Jon Meek
The Newton Eagles (8-3) Opened up the 2024 Playoffs in Diboll Texas. West Rusk (4-6) would be the opponent.
West Rusk the 4th place qualifier from District 11 came out confident Friday night, West Rusk first possession would be a 15 play drive where West Rusk would convert on a 4th down but 3 plays later Newton would force West Rusk to settle for a 32 yard field goal making the score 3-0 early in the 1st. Newton would respond quickly, on the 2nd play of the Eagles 1st possession Braylen Patterson took an end around handoff for 34 yards then KJ Porter took a handoff and jetted 34 yards for 6, Patterson would add 2 and the score was 8-3 Newton. The Newton Defense stiffed on WR next possession; Raiders would punt after 3 plays. Newton Attacked quickly again when Samuel took a QB keeper 20 yards then KJ added 15 yards, Newton would punch it in a few plays later with a 1 yard Porter TD 16-3 early in second qrt. Newton D again shutdown WR, on a 3rd down Jaylin Couch Blitz in and took the West Rusk QB down, forcing WR to punt. On Newton 3rd possession they found themselves facing a 3rd and 17 from the WR 21, Samuel Bootleg to the right and throw a perfect strike to Patterson as he cut across the field, Patterson then turned to the inside and scored 22-3 Newton (PAT failed). West Rusk soon faced another 3rd down on their very next possession. This time the Raiders look the Air, #2 for the Raiders step delayed after the snap and caught Patterson off guard as he the accelerated straight downfield the Raider QB found him and connected for a 61 yard TD. Newton 22 West Rusk 10. Both Teams offense would stall late In the second. The score would stay at 22-10 going into halftime. Both teams would have to punt on their next possession and it looked that Newton 2nd possession of 2nd half would stall, facing a 3rd and 17 from their on 49 Samuel dropped back deep to setup a screen play, The TE Dylan Walker made the catch a bullied his was 19 yards for the first down. Few play later KJ Porter (21-191-3tds) broke for a 32 yard TD. 30-10. Late in the 3rd West Rusk QB would connect with his receiver for 57 yard TD. 30-17 Newton going into 4th.After the West Rusk score Taboris Joyce took the kickoff 30 yards to midfield and one play later KJ Porter Jetted again for 49 yard td 38-17 . West Rusk wouldn’t give up yet though, After the Raider QB scrambled for 30 yards he dropped back to pass and tossed one up to number 5. The Raider receiver leaped up and pulled the ball in with one hand Touchdown Raiders 38-24 Newton. The Raiders kicked the ball off after their score, and can you guess who awaited to return the ball. KJ scooped the ball up at the 30 and before the West Rusk kickoff team past the 50 Porter was behind them for a 70 yard kick return. Newton would run away with the game in the 4th , DT Ivan Gatson would get in on the TD runs when Gatson scooped a fumble and rolled 70 yards for the TD , Jaylin Couch Escorting Gatson all the way in the Endzone.
Newton won 60-24 and now moves on to the Area Round.
The Eagles will travel to Henderson Friday the 22nd to face the Edgewood Bulldogs (8-3).
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