By Jeff Odom
The Newsome football team handed Gaither its worst loss in four years as the Wolves rushed their way to a 52-7 victory in the Class 7A regional quarterfinals Nov. 16.
The Cowboys (8-3) were no match for Newsome’s (7-4) ground attack, which put up 516 rushing yards — 317 in the first half. The Wolves attempted only three passes in the contest.
“Not to take anything away from Newsome, that was a well-disciplined team, physical team, but we absolutely did not show up on any phase,” said second-year Gaither coach Jason Stokes. “I’m very, very embarrassed.”
The Wolves were never slowed by the Cowboys’ defense.
Quarterback Will Worth and running backs John Hendricks and Clint Carnell led Newsome on an 80-yard scoring drive on its opening possession. Worth capped it off with 20-yard pass to Matt Hines.
Newsome picked off Alex McGough (4-of-20, 60 yards) and returned the interception for a touchdown during Gaither’s ensuing possession. The Wolves scored again on their next drive and the route was on.
“We saw them on film; we knew what they were capable of,” Stokes said. “We just absolutely did not execute.”
The Cowboys finally broke through early in the fourth quarter when Jalen Cochran’s 31-yard rush set up his own 5-yard touchdown run.
The joy was short-lived as the Wolves took the ball 56-yards on one rush for their seventh and final score just 30 seconds later.
“We didn’t do well on any phases,” Stokes said. “ … We just stunk up the place.”
