Newton-Conover beats Draughn

Credit: Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

Draughn High quarterback Tyler Powell, No. 12, winces as he tries to avoid a sack by Newton-Conover High on Friday.

By: Mark Parker | Media General
Published: October 24, 2009

Valdese --

The Newton-Conover Red Devils scored three touchdowns in a 1-minute 51-second span in the first quarter before cruising to a 41-6 win over the Draughn Wildcats in a Catawba Valley 2A Conference game.
Newton-Conover (8-1, 4-1 CVAC) completely dominated both sides of the ball for most of the game. The Red Devils amassed 430 yards rushing in the game, 197 of those in the first quarter alone. On the defensive side, Newton-Conover held the Wildcats to only 18 total yards of offense through the first three quarters.
Draughn (0-9, 0-5) dodged the opening offensive salvo by the Red Devils to open the game. Running back Octavious Harden broke off a 46-yard run to set N-C up on the Wildcats' 4-yard line. After a pair of offensive holding calls pushed the Red Devils back to the 21, Jaron Johnson picked off Sam Royall's pass in the end zone to the delight of a packed homecoming crowd.
However, after a three-and-out series by the Wildcats, N-C put together a seven-play, 55-yard drive for their first score. Jamal Coates set up the scoring threat with a 26-yard run over right tackle, and Harden converted a fourth-and 1 from the Wildcat 20 for a 12-yard run to keep the drive alive. Harden completed the drive with a one-yard run up the middle.
After another three play series by Draughn, N-C took over at the Wildcats' 46-yard line, where Coates broke ran over the right tackle for a 46-yard touchdown run and a 14-0 lead.
On the second play of Draughn's next possession, quarterback Tyler Powell was stuffed at the line of scrimmage and fumbled the ball. N-C linebacker Jake Cansler retrieved the ball and ran untouched for a 16-yard touchdown on the fumble return for a 21-0 lead after the extra point.
N-C added another touchdown early in the second quarter after an interception and return by Ty Brown put the Red Devils at the Wildcats' 20-yard line. Harden picked up all 20-yards on the drive for the score— the last run, a 12-yard run around the right end, from where he went in untouched.
"We've been where (Draughn's) been," said Red Devils' Head Coach Nick Bazzell following the game. "We knew they were going through some growing pains and that they have struggled. The main thing we tell our guys is to not worry about who they are playing but worry about Newton-Conover. We always look for ways to improve and continue to try and peak as we move towards the playoffs"
N-C's Aubrey Farley came off the bench to add a score, a 6-yard touchdown run to open the third quarter.
Draughn crossed midfield for the first time with 8:54 remaining in the game. A pass interference on fourth down gave the Wildcats the ball on N-C's 13-yard line. Two plays later, Keith Loomis scored on an end around from 10-yards to avert their 5th shutout of the season.
Backup quarterback Carson Shuford closed the scoring with an 18-yard run late in the fourth quarter.
"I'm real proud our players didn't quit," Wildcats Head Coach Scott Lambert said. "We're real young and have had to move 10th graders up to varsity due to injuries. We continue to take baby steps and look to get where they are at some point."

Newton-Conover beats Draughn

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