By By Marty Stamper / staff writer
Nov. 6, 2004
DECATUR The Newton County Cougars used a solid ground game and a stiff defense to pay back an old debt Friday night.
Newton County rushed for 281 of its 291 total yards and held Collins to only 136 total yards in taking a 14-13 victory in the Class 3A playoff game at Cougar Stadium.
The Cougar victory evened the series at two wins apiece.
On the ground, Duke Hudnall moved from tailback to fullback and rushed for 119 yards on 27 carries. It didn't take long for Hudnall to make an impact as he had 11 carries for 46 yards on the Cougars' first possession of the night. His 3-yard touchdown run staked Newton County to a 7-0 lead with 2:10 left in the first quarter after Austin Scoggins' extra point. On the drive, the Cougars covered 82 yards in 16 plays.
Newton County improved to 7-3, while Collins finished 8-3.
Collins put together a 12-play, 61-yard scoring drive to pull even at 7-7 with 2:53 left in the first half. The key play of the drive was a one-handed catch by Rock Keys for a 23-yard gain on fourth-and-12 at the Cougar 35. Three plays later, Jeremy Keys connected with Tim Barnes for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Robert Bender added the tying PAT.
The Tigers threatened to take the lead when they recovered the ensuing kickoff at the Newton County 35. But a holding penalty and a fourth down sack and lost fumble gave the Cougars the ball at the Collins 40.
Newton County picked up 17 yards, but Tommy Strange missed on a 40-yard field goal with six seconds left in the half.
Newton County outgained Collins 120-66 in the first half.
A lost fumble by Hudnall set Collins up for a 54-yard scoring drive early in the second half. A 6-yard run by Barnes and a 15-yard facemask penalty put the ball at the Cougar 33. Eight plays later, Jeremy Keys followed Dandy Dozen center Josh McNeil into the end zone for a 13-7 lead with 5:10 showing in the third quarter. Bender's extra point try was no good and it would eventually cost the Tigers the game.
Newton County put together a 14-play drive from its 20 to the Collins 14 where Channy Barnes sacked Amis for a 14-yard loss on fourth-and-four with 9:41 left in the game.
After being called for holding on back-to-back plays, Collins punted to the Cougar 41 with 8:17 to play. Two plays later, J.D. Skinner took an option pitch from Amis 58 yards to tie the game at 13-13. Scoggins kicked the eventual game-winning PAT for a 14-13 lead with 7:30 remaining.
Collins drew another holding penalty and Jeremy Keys threw two incompletions on its next possession.
The Tigers had one last chance after Justin Speed's short punt return put Collins at the Cougar 45 with 2:12 left. Facing fourth-and-one at the 36, Jeremy Keys bobbled the exchange from center and Cougar freshman linebacker Michael Tullos came up with the ball with 1:27 left to preserve the win.
Collins was just 5-of-18 for 60 yards passing and rushed 28 times for 76 yards. The Tigers had only 21 yards and no first downs in the fourth quarter.
Amis was 3-of-5 passing for 10 yards for Newton County.
The Cougars will go to Hazlehurst next Friday. The Indians defeated Sumrall 44-0.