Newton Co. blanks SEL 35-0

By By Mary Stamper / EMG sports assistant
Oct. 12, 2002
DECATUR The Newton County Cougars recorded their third straight Division 5-3A shutout with a 35-0 victory over Southeast Lauderdale Friday night at Cougar Stadium.
The offense wasn't shabby either as the Cougars finished with 317 total yards with 265 coming on an incredible 63 rushes. Southeast was held to 32 total yards after having 40 at halftime.
The Cougars covered 48 yards on 10 plays on their first possession with Colby Amis teaming up with Delvion Merrell on an 8-yard scoring toss. Taylor Nichols booted the first of his five extra points for a 7-0 lead with 5:15 left in the first quarter.
Newton County drove 89 yards in 16 plays on its next possession to grab a 14-0 lead with 7:42 remaining in the second quarter. Derek Mapp had four carries for 29 yards on the drive and got the touchdown from a yard out.
Southeast had its best scoring threat of the night after a high snap on a Cougar punt resulted in a 23-yard loss. The Tigers had first-and-10 at the Newton County 11, but Drew Harper threw three incompletions and his fourth pass was picked off and returned 24 yards to the Cougar 26 by David Fielder.
The Cougars then covered 74 yards in 10 plays to take a 21-0 lead into halftime following a 6-yard scoring run by Mapp with 34.7 seconds remaining before halftime.
The Cougars extended their lead to 28-0 with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter after a 27-yard punt return by Kennard Johnson had them back in business at the Southeast 22. Five plays later, Terrance Patrick scored on a 2-yard run.
Southeast lost Harper for the remainder of the game when he was swarmed under following a high snap in punt formation on the next to last play of the third quarter. Taking over at the Tigers 16, it took three plays for the Cougars to score again as Patrick found the end zone from six yards out.
Darryl Mapp led the Cougars with 99 yards on 19 carries. Eight different backs had at least one carry as Newton County improved to 3-0 in 5-3A and 7-0 overall. Amis was 4-of-10 passing for 52 yards.
Southeast dropped to 0-3 and 1-6. The Tigers had minus-21 yards on 19 rushes.
Harper was 6-of-17 for 53 yards with three interceptions.
Newton County travels to Carthage and Southeast hosts Philadelphia in next Friday's games.