Newton hoped to duplicate the 2014 victory over West Orange-Stark that propelled the Eagles into district play and eventually into the state championship game, but the Mustangs were too much for the Class 3A program.

The bigger and faster group from West-Orange Stark imposed its will on Newton on defense and offense from the opening drives and cruised toward a 48-6 victory.

Newton’s offense could never get going. In the first half, the Eagles accounted for just 31 yards of total offense, one first down and no completions. Quarterback Brock Barbay was 0 of 6 with an interception through the air and Newton averaged just over two yards per carry.

After the Eagles (1-4) went three-and-out to start the game, West Orange-Stark (5-1) scored on its first play from scrimmage when Jackson Dallas hit Kentavious Miller for a 72-yard touchdown pass. Jackson hit the extra point to give West Orange-Stark it would never concede.

Jackson through three first half touchdowns and the Mustangs eventually took a 34-0 lead into halftime.

Newton picked up a first down on its next drive when Brodrick Spikes ran for a 12-yard gain on the first play of the drive. The Mustang defense buckled down after Spikes set up a second-and-one on the next play, stopping the Eagles three consecutive times to force a turnover on downs and take over at midfield.

The Mustangs couldn’t capitalize, however, as Newton stopped a 10-play drive with a key fourth down stop to get the offense back.

As was the story all game, Newton’s offense couldn’t put enough plays together to put a scare into West Orange Stark.

Newton went three-and-out on three of the seven first half drives with the three others being two turnover on downs and an interception.

West Orange-Stark scored on its next four possessions to close out the first half. Malick Phillips scored a five-yard touchdown run on the first play from scrimmage in the second quarter to build the Mustang lead to 14-0.

Melech Edwards added a 31-yard touchdown run on the next West Orange-Stark drive to make the lead 21-0 with 8:44 left in the second quarter.

Dallas added two touchdown passes of over 30 yards late in the second quarter to close out the scoring. The first one found Thomas Wallace from 37 yards out and the second touchdown pass went to Rufus Joseph with 2:50 left in the second quarter.

West Orange-Stark went back to a familiar connection in the third quarter when Dallas hit Miller for a 72-yard touchdown pass. Newton was finally able to get on the board with a three-yard touchdown run by Jaron Hanks, but it was the only time the Eagles would score in the game.

West Orange-Stark added a touchdown in the fourth quarter to take a 48-6 victory.

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