Newton County, Forest meet in battle of division unbeatens

By By Marty Stamper / staff writer
September 30, 2004
Friday's Division 5-3A showdown between Newton County and Forest will definitely be a contrast of old school' versus new school' when it comes to offenses.
Kickoff at Forest's L.O. Atkins Field is set for 7 p.m.
Newton County comes in with a 2-2 overall mark and a 1-0 showing in 5-3A. Forest is 5-0 and 2-0. The Bearcats are averaging 46.6 points per game after last week's 59-28 thrashing of previously-undefeated Philadelphia. Forest also has a 56-24 rout of Prentiss which knocked off Collins 13-12 last week.
Newton County used a four-touchdown explosion in the third quarter to knock off West Lauderdale 41-28 last week.
Forest junior quarterback Keith Brown has thrown 20 touchdown passes and has run for two touchdowns. Michael Townsend has seven touchdown receptions to go with a kickoff return and an interception return for touchdowns.
Tremayne Bowie and Marcel Wash both have four touchdown catches, while Cameron Nicholson and Austin Wilbanks have two each. Jason Qualls, Courtney Blaylock, and Brad Ellis have each rushed for two touchdowns. Ellis also has a pair of touchdown catches.
Forest also has a good kicker in Grey LaPrade.
That was the case in Newton County's 22-0 win over Northeast Lauderdale three weeks ago and pretty much the same in beating West Lauderdale. Against the Knights, the Cougars ran 55 plays to 43 for West.
Even at that, the Bearcats are a threat to score on any play. Forest has 11 touchdowns of 30 yards or more with six coming last week at Philadelphia.
Breland and Forest head coach Brad Peterson were both assistants at Louisville and were on the same staff at Newton.
Peterson is pretty sure what to expect from the Cougars.
A Cougar win would be devastating to the Bearcats' division title hopes.
Newton County won a 14-13 thriller last year to trim Forest's series advantage to 7-4.