By By Ryan Satcher/staff writer
September 27, 2003
The Knights of West Lauderdale turned heads on Friday night in Collinsville as they rolled past Division 5-3A power Newton County 31-14.
The win over the defending division champion Cougars was a big one for the Knights, who improve to 4-1 for the season and 2-0 in league play.
The Knights used the legs of Dameon Baylor, who finished with 210 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, and great blocking by the offensive line to take the big victory.
The West Lauderdale defense continued to make it difficult on opposing teams. The Knights gave up just 178 total yards on the night and came up with a great second half to secure the win.
The defense got the momentum early for the Knights as it held on a fourth-and-two play in West Lauderdale territory.
The next play from scrimmage for the Knights, Baylor broke free and carried the ball into the end zone on a 53-yard touchdown run. Michael Pogue's kick made the score 7-0 with 6:05 left in the first quarter.
Newton County answered nicely on its next possession and drove the ball 69 yards in 15 plays to tie the game. Duke Hudnall powered in from four yards out to give the Cougars the touchdown.
The Cougar defense came through with a huge play on the next possession for the Knights. Newton County forced a fumble and Hudnall picked the ball up and returned it 55 yards for another Cougar touchdown with 9:28 left in the half.
With the Cougars leading 14-7, the Knights put together a nice drive to move down the field in the closing minutes of the first half.
Baylor finished off the drive with a one-yard run with 45 seconds remaining in the half to make the score 14-14.
The Knights took back the lead with a big play in the third quarter. Pogue hit Christian Trussell on a short pass at the Newton County 39-yard line. Trussell broke a tackle and made a couple of good moves to reach the end zone on a 39-yard touchdown reception to make the score 21-14.
After forcing Newton County to punt, the Knights put together another nice drive to put points on the board. Pogue finished the 12-play ,50-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal to extend the lead to 24-14.
Newton County mishandled the ensuing kickoff and Danny Siefker recovered the ball for the Knights. Baylor put the game away with an 11-yard touchdown run on third down to make the score 31-14.
The Cougars drop to 1-4 for the year and 0-1 in division play with the loss to the Knights.
West Lauderdale visits Southeast Lauderdale Friday night, while Newton County plays host to Forest. Both are Division 5-3A contests.