Newnan defense's late 'lights out' play leads to win over Woodward Academy
As teams get deep into region play, the Newnan Cougars hit the road to take on the Woodward Academy War Eagles, looking to bounce back from their loss to the Langston Hughes Panthers last week, while the War Eagles entered the night having won their last four games and had yet to suffer a region loss.
With weather conditions not favorable as rain had mad its way into the metro Atlanta area, neither team hesitated to attack through the air as Woodward Academy struck first as quarterback and Charlotte commit, Ryan Harrigan connected with Elijah Lyles on a screen pass, with Lyles breaking through the Cougars defense and reach the end zone as the War Eagles would take a 7-0 lead.
As the second quarter began, Newnan would answer thanks to a touchdown pass from senior and Georgia Tech commit, Brodie Campbell to Connor Chubb, tying the game at 7-7 following the extra point and then with time winding down in the second quarter, a Paul Cormier 40-yard field goal would give Newnan a 10-7 lead at halftime.
In the third quarter, Harrigan would put the War Eagles back in front after a 43-yard rushing touchdown, as Woodward took a 14-10 lead, however, the Cougars would score 10 unanswered taking a 20-14 lead as Campbell threw his second touchdown of the night to Christopher Jackson and Cormier added his second field goal of the night.
The War Eagles would have their chances to tie the game, but the Newnan defense picked off Harrigan twice, including on a third and goal pass which would be intercepted by Marquise Simmons with less than two minutes remaining in the game. TJ Gates would account for the first interception.
"Defense was lights out," Newnan head coach, Chip Walker, said as the Cougars would go on to pick up the 20-14 win, improving to 3-4 overall and 3-2 in region play. "They have really grown over the course of the year. They've had some struggles and I am so proud of the way they've practiced the last month and it showed off tonight," Walker said of his players performance.
"It was whatever it takes mindset," Campbell said following the Newnan victory. "No matter where we have to play, when we have to play and what conditions we have to play in, we wanted to get the win," Campbell said, crediting his teammates for playing a "full, complete game, all three phases. It was awesome," Campbell added.
The Cougars will head into their bye week next week and then go back on the road to take on Tri-Cities on October 23.
Comments