Newton's Roney Elam Wins ETSN.fm + Dairy Queen Defensive Player of the Week

With defensive back Roney Elam in the lineup, there was speculation Newton would give the powerful Corrigan-Camden offense its toughest game of the regular season.

The Eagles' defense held up Friday for a 44-26 win which likely determined the champion of District 11-3A Division II. Elam edged Newton teammate Calum Foster for the Week 9 ETSN.fm/Dairy Queen Defensive Player of the Week honor with 16 tackles, a forced fumble and an 80-yard interception returned for a touchdown.

Foster recorded 13 tackles, six pass breakups and scored on a 34-yard fumble recovery.

It was important Newton (5-3, 3-0) brought its A-game. The Eagles were battling a Corrigan-Camden backfield with two runners with more than 1,000 rushing yards apiece.

Where other teams would get burned by the backs, Elam possessed the speed to catch up to them in the open field and forced Corrigan-Camden to run more plays. The defense collectively capitalized.

It was only a matter of time before Elam, a senior, won the award. He's a top-tier East Texas talent, one of four players in the region verbally committed to Texas A&M. The same four players are the only ones currently signed on to play in the SEC.

Newton has drawn the toughest matchup in the district for the second consecutive week. It will visit Garrison (4-3, 2-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Garrison is in a tie with Corrigan-Camden for second place in the district after falling last week to Crockett, but it can win the district with straight wins against Newton and Corrigan-Camden to end its regular season.