By By Marty Stamper/EMG sports assistant
October 11, 2003
Michael Pogue's 27-yard field goal in overtime snapped a scoreless battle as West Lauderdale edged Newton 3-0 Friday night in Collinsville.
Neither team was able to do much on offense on the wet field as Newton held the Knights to just 83 total yards on 42 plays from scrimmage and West held the Tigers to 151 total yards on 65 plays. Newton had seven first downs to just four for West.
The Knights dodged several bullets, mostly on mishaps on their attempts to return punts.
On the final play of the first quarter, Newton punter Phillip Evans kicked a line drive that hit one of the Knights just beyond the line of scrimmage with the Tigers recovering at the West 43. The Tigers, however, turned the ball over on downs.
A 34-yard punt return by Josh Hanible and a hit out of bounds had the Knights in business at the Newton 29. Pogue's 42-yard field goal try with 4:22 remaining in the first half fell short.
Neither team threatened in the third period as West's venture to Newton's 49 was the deepest penetration by either team.
The Knights dodged an early fourth-quarter bullet when Newton recovered a Pogue fumble at the West 38, only to turn the ball over on downs at the 22.
West recovered a Tiger fumble at the Newton 24 only to return the favor on a stray option pitch by Pogue that the Tigers recovered at their 36 with 4:01 left in regulation.
The final bullet was dodged when Hanible muffed a punt with the Tigers recovering at the West 23 with 56 seconds showing. Newton gained only two yards before turning the ball over on downs.
Newton had the ball first in overtime, but managed only one yard on four plays.
After the Knights got a yard on two plays, McCain put the game's outcome on Pogue's leg on third down. His kick sailed high over the crossbar as West improved to 6-1.