Newton Wins Battle Against Canadian

By Michael Wright
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Updated: December 20, 2018

The Newton Eagles (14-0) beat the Canadian Wildcats (14-1) in the Class 3A DII Texas High School Football State Championship game 21-16. Defending champions Newton we playing in their 7th championship game. Canadian was playing in their 6th Championship game having last won in 2015.

Newton got the ball first and scored when Darwin Barlow (over 4,000 yards rushing over the last 2 years) ran it in to take a 7-0 lead with 8:05 left in the 1st quarter. Canadian put together a good first drive but where unable to convert on a 43 yard field goal attempt. The Eagles went 3 and out on their next possession and then failed on a fake punt attempt. The Wildcats took over at the Newton 49. They were unable to do anything with it and punted. Newton punted and Canadian was facing a 4th and 6 as the quarter ended.

For the quarter, Newton had 110 total yards while Canadian had 50. Another key stat was that Newton was 3 of 5 on 3rd down plays while Canadian was 0 of 3.

The Newton defense stopped the Wildcats on their 4th down attempt to start the 2nd quarter. Newton then went on a drive that used up of 4 minutes of the quarter but were forced to punt pinning the Wildcats back at the 17. The teams then traded 3 and outs. Canadian started at their 11 after the Newton punt. On the first play, Newton defensive back Kevin Watson intercepted the ball and took it in for the score. The extra point made it 14-0 Newton with 4:20 left in the half. Canadian went 3 and out to give the ball back to the Eagles with a little less than 4 minutes left. The Eagles punted and Canadian turned the ball over as Maliak Metoyer recovered a fumble in Wildcat territory. Newton went on to score as Barlow caught a short pass to make it 21-0 with 48 seconds left.

Key halftime stats: Newton 180 total yards -- Canadian 55 (on 28 plays)
Newton is 6 of 11 on 3rd and 4th down while Canadian is 0 of 8 including 0 for 2 on 4th down.

The Wildcats started the 2nd half with the ball and put together a great drive before turning the ball over on downs at the Eagle 11 yard line. The teams traded punts. On the Eagles next possession, the Eagle quarterback, Josh Foster (a TCU committ) was called for intentional grounding in the end zone resulting in a safety. That made the score 21-2 with a little under 6 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. The Wildcats took the ball down the field after receiving the ball and quarterback Casen Cavalier (over 4,000 total yards on the season) ran it in from 5 yards out. Cavalier then ran it in for the 2 point conversion to bring the score to 21-10 with 4:38 left in the 3rd. Newton converted a 4th and 1 at their own 41 but were forced to punt 1 series later giving Canadian the ball at their own 13.

Key Stats through 3 quarters:
Total Yards -- Newton 225 Canadian 49
Newton Running Back Barlow -- 21 carries for 107 yards

Canadian was forced to punt on their first possession of the 4th quarter. Newton then punted back to the Wildcats with 7:25 left in the game. Canadian turned the ball over on downs at the Eagle 28 with 5:20 left. Two players later Wildcat defensive back Garrison McCook caused a fumble and it was recovered by Caleb Martinez. The Widcats missed on a 41 yard field goal but Newton was called for leaping giving Canadian the ball at the Newton 12. Cavalier hit receiver Grant McCook for a touchdown. The 2 point conversion was no good making the score 21-16 with 3:12 left in the game. The onside kick by Canadian was recovered by Barlow of the Eagles. The Wildcats forced a punt and took over at their own 27 with 2:11 left. A 4th down pass at the goal line was intercepted by Newton defensive back Dominique Seastrunk to give the ball back to the Eagles with 41 seconds left. The Eagles were then able to run the clock out.

Offensive MVP : Newton Running Back Darwin Barlow

Defensive MVP : Newton Defensive Back Kevin Watson (Interception returned for a touchdown)

Attendance : 10,032