No. 3 Newton Starts District 10-2A D-I Schedule at Fellow Unbeaten Warren

No. 3 Newton Eagles (3-0)
vs.
Warren Warriors (3-0)

7:30 p.m. Friday
Warrior Stadium, Warren

Coaches
Newton: W.T. Johnston
Warren: John Woodard

Last week
Newton: idle
Warren: def. Sabine Pass, 46-0

Next week
Newton: vs. Kirbyville
Warren: at Winnie East Chambers

Playmakers
Newton

• RB Kevin Shorter, Jr., 6-1, 185 (38 carries, 416 yards, 7 TDs; 1 receiving TD)
• QB/DB D.J. Dean, Sr., 5-11, 180 (8 of 16, 199 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs; 21 carries, 139 yards, 2 TDs)
• RB Brandon Johnson, Jr., 5-9, 180 (40 carries, 273 yards, 3 TDs)
• SS Raylon Davis, Soph., 5-7, 155 (34 tackles)
• LB Corey Jenkins, Sr., 6-0, 195 (31 tackles)
• DE Romando Stewart, Sr., 6-2, 205 (17 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble)
• SS Carlton Myers, Jr., 5-10, 160 (24 tackles, 1 FG block)

Warren

• QB Kolton Perfect, Sr., 5-10, 170
• RB Parker Lambright, Jr.
• ATH Harrison McNulty, Soph.
• OL Michael Jay Evans, Sr., 6-4, 272
• DE Hunter Holloway, Sr.

Just the facts

• Warren has already won more games this season than in the past three combined (2-28).
• Newton is 3-0 for the first time since 2009, when the Eagles started 9-0 and finished 12-2.
• Warren went 0-10 in 2011 and 2010.
• Newton has been to the playoffs every year since 1994.
• Warren averages 36.3 points per game and yields 4.3.
• Newton averages 46.3 points per game and allows 13.0.
• All three of Warren's wins have come against Class A schools (Evadale, Burkeville, Sabine Pass).
• Newton has 17 10-win seasons in school history.

Key matchup: Warren's defensive line vs. Newton's running game. Newton has pummeled three opponents this season thanks to a punishing ground attack that features a bevy of talented ball carriers. There's Utah-bound quarterback D.J. Dean, who will likely play defensive back in college, handing off to a pair of junior tailbacks in Brandon Johnson and Kevin Shorter. Shorter averages 10.9 yards per carry averages almost seven per tote. That trio has fueled a Newton offense averaging more than six touchdowns per game. Warren will be in trouble if it allows Newton to dictate the pace of the game.

Don't be surprised if: Newton improves to 4-0. The Eagles were a preseason state championship candidate, and nothing so far seems to be changing anyone's mind. Warren's fast start under first-year coach John Woodard, a former Union Hill head man, is encouraging, especially considering the program's recent lack of success, but the Warriors are probably far from ready to take down a perennial state power and the District 10-2A Division I favorite. Two teams enter this matchup with undefeated records, but chances are Newton will be the one left without a blemish going into next week.