Kevin Shorter + Newton Defense Too Much for Teague in Dominating 68-17 Win

NACOGDOCHES -- Teague was able to jump out to an early lead against third-ranked Newton, but beyond that, it was all Eagles.

Kevin Shorter ran for four touchdowns and Newton never looked back from its early deficit in a 68-17 win over Teague on Friday at Homer Bryce Stadium in a Class 2A Division I area round matchup.

Newton's win marked only the second time all season the Eagles (11-0) allowed 17 points in a game, the last time a 40-17 win against Kirbyville on Oct. 5. Newton will face Friday night's Grandview-White Oak winner next week in the regional round.

Shorter erupted for 231 yards and his four touchdowns on only 12 attempts, and Newton rolled up 581 rushing yards in a dominating win that saw the Eagles down 10-7 early in the first quarter.

Austin Skinner threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Will Graham and Kelton Henderson kicked a 30-yard field goal to put Teague up 10-7 early, but Newton scored the next 62 points to complete yet another dominating performance.

Shorter scored on runs of 21, 59, 80 and 9 yards in the first and second quarters to fuel Newton's score eruption. Brandon Johnson, who rushed for 130 yards on 15 carries, added two touchdowns in a 49-point first half for Newton.

Newton quarterback D.J. Dean, who has committed to Utah as a cornerback, contributed a 60-yard touchdown run and an interception on defense. The Eagles held Teague to 211 total yards, including 98 on the ground on 22 attempts.

Teague's Skinner, a sophomore, completed 11 of 21 passes for 121 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. His second interception was snagged by Roney Elam, who went 55 yards for a touchdown to put the Eagles up 62-10 late in the third quarter.

Teague's Aaron Mitchell, the team's leading receiver with 1,335 yards and 25 touchdowns on 77 catches coming into this game, was held to four catches for 59 yards in the loss. The Lions ended their season with an 8-4 record.