Cougars roar in win vs. Southeast
By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
Oct. 23, 2004
DECATUR The Newton County Cougars scored every time they had the ball in the first half as they rolled to a 51-26 victory against Southeast Lauderdale here Friday night in prep football action.
With the victory, the Cougars improved their record to 5-3 overall and laid claim to second place in the Division 5-3A standings with a 4-1 record. Southeast Lauderdale fell to 4-5 overall and 2-4 in the division.
Ball possession was a major key for the Cougars who ran 79 offensive plays to Southeast Lauderdale's 35. The Tigers did not run an offensive play in the third quarter, but they did return a kickoff for a touchdown.
The Cougars had 22 first downs while holding Southeast Lauderdale to five. Newton County finished with 419 total yards. The Cougars rushed for 354 yards on 69 carries, and completed five-of-10 passing attempts for 65 yards. The Tigers had 250 total yards. Southeast Lauderdale completed six-of-19 passing attempts for 223 yards, and rushed for 27 yards.
Quarterback Colby Amis scored Newton County's first touchdown on a 15-yard run up the middle, capping a 13-play, 71-yard drive. Austin Scoggins kicked the extra point and the Cougars led 7-0 with 4:09 left in the period.
Newton County then kicked off. The Southeast receiver stepped into the endzone, pulling the ball past the goal line with him, and downed the ball. A safety was called and Newton County led 9-0 with 4:04 left in the first quarter.
The Cougars took the free kick on their 43 and drove it in for a touchdown in 11 plays. Amis did the honors on a five-yard run. Scoggins kicked the extra point and Newton County led 16-0 with 11:42 left in the first half.
Newton County added three more touchdowns in the second quarter. Donnell McDowell scored on a three-yard run, capping a 10-play, 56-yard drive. Then Duke Hudnall scored the next two on runs of one and two yards. Austin Scoggins was true on all of his extra point kicks.
Southeast Lauderdale got on the scoreboard with 55 seconds left in the half when quarterback Drew Harper connected with Chris Gordon on 67-yard TD pass. Josh Johnson kicked the extra point. At the half, Newton County led 37-7.
The Cougars took the second half kickoff and drove it 61 yards in 12 plays for a touchdown. McDowell scored on a one-yard run. Scoggins kicked the extra point and Newton County led 44-7 with 6:05 left in the third quarter.
Gordon put the Tigers on the scoreboard again on the ensuing kickoff as he returned the ball 92 yards for a touchdown. Johnson's kick was true and the Tigers trailed 44-14.
Newton County was back at it after the kickoff. The Cougars took 11 plays and covered 54 yards on the drive. J.J. Thompson capped the drive on the first play of the fourth quarter on a three-yard run. Scoggins kicked the extra point and Newton County led 51-14.
Southeast scored a couple of late touchdowns. Harper connected with Gordon on a 52-yard TD pass. The try for two failed and the Tigers trailed 51-20.
Then with time running out, Harper snuck in from one-yard out, following his 52-yard pass to Gordon. The kick was no good.
Amis finished the night with 117 yards rushing on 16 carries. McDowell had 92 yards while Hudnall rushed for 92 yards. David Windham caught three passes for 35 yards.
Gordon led the Tigers with four catches and 213 yards.
Southeast Lauderdale finishes its season next Friday night at home against Richton, while Newton County visits Choctaw Central.
