By By Amy Hedrick Robertson/EMG sports writer
September 13, 2003
DECATUR The Heidelberg Academy Rebels, a perennial powerhouse in Academy Class A football, backed up their history with a convincing 42-6 win over Newton County Academy on Friday night.
As the defending state champions, the Rebels appeared to be preparing for another run at the state title with their second division win. The Rebels are 2-2 overall and 2-0 in division play, while the Generals dropped to 2-2 and 1-1.
The Generals opened the game with a promising drive that sputtered out on the third play. With inches to go on third down near midfield, the Generals were called for illegal procedure. Two plays later the Generals punted and Heidelberg had good field position at the Newton 47.
On the second play of their opening drive, Rebel quarterback Brooks Lewis handed off to Brent Welch who went 50 yards for the touchdown with 9:04 left in the first quarter. Mason Key's kick was good and the Rebels led 7-0.
The Generals had one more chance to capitalize on a Heidelberg mistake in the first quarter when the Rebels fumbled the Generals punt on the
Heidelberg 27. Two plays later, however, General John Shellenback's pass was picked off by Lewis and returned 38 yards. The first quarter ended with Heidelberg in the lead 7-0 and driving.
The Rebels took a 14-0 lead with 10:30 left in the second quarter when Chris Kittrell scored on a three-yard run. Key's PAT was good.
After attempting a couple of passes on the ensuing possession, the Generals had to punt and the Rebels were set up for their next score at midfield.
Eleven plays later, the Rebels were in the end zone again on a Lewis three-yard run. With 1:54 left in the half, Key's kick was good and Heidelberg led 21-0 at the half.
On their opening drive of the third quarter, the Rebels scored quickly after having one 40-yard touchdown brought back on a penalty. Four plays later Kittrell found the end zone from 7 yards out with 8:30 left in the third quarter. Key's point after kick was good, making the score 28-0.
Picking off a pass on the Generals' next possession set up the next Rebel drive once again from midfield. This time Lewis passed to Derek Griffin for a 23-yard touchdown play. With 6:07 remaining in the third period, Heidelberg carried a 35-0 lead into the fourth quarter.
The final Rebel score came in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter when Wesley Parker scored a 16-yard touchdown. The PAT was good, making the score 42-0.
On the ensuing kickoff the Generals had their only moment of celebration when Dustin McGowin ran the kickoff back 93 yards for the lone General touchdown. A pass play failed, making the final score 42-6.
On the night the Rebels racked up 286 total yards compared to Newton's 79.
The leading rushers for Heidelberg were Welch with 71 yards on six carries and one touchdown and Parker with 62 yards on 11 carries and one touchdown. Next week Heidelberg will host Winston and Newton will travel to Waynesboro.