The Newton Eagles returned an interception for a touchdown just before halftime Friday night to erase a second quarter deficit and went on to beat the Lawrenceville Indians 34-20 on Senior Night at Ed Loeb Field in Lawrenceville.
The score erased a 7-6 Indian lead after one quarter and enabled the visitors to take a 20-13 lead at the half. Newton then scored again in the third to lead 27-13 before the Tribe scored to cut the margin to 27-20 after three quarters. The Eagles scored an insurance touchdown late in the fourth quarter and intercepted the Indians again and ran out the clock enroute to the 14- point win.
The Indians ran up 302 yards in total offense and were led by senior Zach Coffey, who scored on touchdown runs of 2 and 9 yards and senior Malikye Williams who scored the first Indian touchdown on a 1-yard run in the first quarter to give the Indians the lead. Indian junior quarterback Blayton Gossett was 10 of 16 passing for 128 yards with no touchdowns and 3 interceptions.
The Eagles are now 3-5 overall and 2-4 in Little Illini Conference (LIC) play while the Indians have lost six in a row to fall to 1-7 overall and 0-6 in LIC play. The Indians close out the season Friday October 24th at Mt. Carmel.
Pioneer falls in 1A state title game
South Putnam to battle Pioneer for 1A football state championship
