Newberry Bulldogs Roar Back with a Big Homecoming Win
NEWBERRY — The Newberry High School varsity football team bounced back in a big way on their homecoming night, defeating the Fox Creek Predators with a stunning score of 47-0. This marked the Bulldogs’ first game in two weeks, following the disruption caused by Hurricane Helene. After struggling through a three-game losing streak against some tough competitors, this game was just the boost they needed!
The Comeback Story
The Bulldogs entered this game with a record of 3-3 and a 1-0 region 4-AAA standing. Before the storm hit, Coach Cedrick Jeter and his team had been facing some challenges, but the time off allowed them to regroup, focus on their strategies, and get healthy. Key player JaMerius Shepard, who had missed the first part of the season due to injury, was back on the field, and his presence brought renewed energy to the team.
“He’s an experienced player that just knows what to do,” Coach Jeter explained, indicating his confidence in Shepard’s skills. “We just got to get the rust off of him. He’s a smart heady player, and having him back gives us depth.”
Setting the Tone Early
As the game kicked off, the Bulldogs took a while to find their groove. The first offensive drive was a bit sluggish, but the defense stepped up to the plate, forcing Fox Creek into a quick three-and-out. With the momentum shifting in their favor, the Bulldogs’ offense took over on the opponent’s side of the field and wasted no time scoring. BJ Jones started things off with an impressive 11-yard run and capped off the drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown. Newberry was up 7-0 before anyone could blink!
Jones was on fire and continued to shine, scoring another touchdown just minutes later. He took a short pass for 25-yards down to the red zone and then punched it in with a three-yard run. Backup running back Ty Abrams wasn’t going to be left out of the fun either, scoring a 10-yard touchdown shortly after that, wrapping up the first quarter with Newberry leading 20-0.
Taking Control of the Game
While the Bulldogs were undeniably dominating, the second quarter started with a blip when a muffed punt by CJ Earl gave Fox Creek promising field position. However, their offensive efforts crumbled against Newberry’s staunch defense, as they failed to score after starting from inside the Bulldogs’ 40-yard line.
Not one to dwell on mishaps, the Bulldogs’ senior defensive back Steven Joseph almost brought in an interception return for a touchdown that would have sent the crowd into a frenzy, but a block-in-the-back call wiped that out. No matter! Quarterback Kenton Caldwell quickly shifted gears, scoring on a sneak before finding South Carolina commit Jamel Howse Jr. for a 10-yard touchdown reception. By halftime, the score was a commanding 34-0.
Finishing Strong
The Predators tried to spark a comeback with an energized kickoff return to start the third quarter but were once again halted by the Bulldogs’ fierce defense. The offensive unit got two more quick strikes in the final quarter, with Isaiah Glymph scoring on a short screen pass and junior receiver Cash Brown making a spectacular 52-yard touchdown catch to bring the final score to 47-0.
Coach Reflects on the Season
“With three close losses behind us, getting this win feels fantastic!” Coach Jeter shared. He acknowledged that despite the ups and downs, the preparation against quality opponents throughout the season had truly readied his players for this win. “It’s great to see the guys come together and put their hard work into action on the field.”
As Newberry takes a much-needed bye next week, the Bulldogs look forward to their game against Keenan on October 25th, eager to build on this momentum.
