There were no answers for the explosiveness of Newton County's running back, Carlois Walker. His three big touchdown runs of 68, 75, and 65 yards - along with two other short scores from eight and six-yards out - spoiled Senior Night for Northeast Jones late Friday in The Jungle.
The Tigers (4-7, 2-3) fell to the Cougars (6-5, 3-2) 35-7 in both team’s regular-season finale.
"His big runs were all off missed tackles too," said Northeast Jones head coach Keith Braddock. "We hit him and didn't even slow him up till others could get there. He just ran through us.
“I thought we played good, except for a few plays defensively in the first half. But Newton County has turned a corner. They’ve been playing well in the last three or four weeks.”
Northeast Jones trailed just 14-7 at the half. Walker managed only one-big run in the first two-quarters - his 68-yard touchdown carry with 4:14 left in the first half pushed Newton County in front, 14-0. Northeast Jones answered in the final minute on a three-yard run by Zymarrian Ducksworth.
In the second half, after a stop by the Tigers’ defense, Northeast Jones showed signs of progress. Unfortunately, the drive into Cougars’ territory stalled.
"Newton County did a good job stopping the drive," said Braddock. "We couldn't get anything going after that. We tried everything. We tried running the ball and throwing it deep. Let's be honest; there's only so much you can do scheme-wise versus a good team. Our guys couldn't do that, and their guy could."
Afterward, Walker broke loose again. Scoring on a 75-yard play, then adding two other touchdowns from six and 65 yards, Walker single-handedly sealed the Cougars' victory.
"They took it to us in the second half and made us like it," said Braddock.
Moving Forward:
Silver lining? Northeast Jones will enter the playoffs for the eighth-time in Braddock's 10-year tenure after a consecutive two-year drought.
The not so silver lining - Northeast Jones, as the fourth-seed has to face South Pike in the first round of the Class 4A playoffs. South Pike finished the regular season unbeaten at 11-0, 5-0 in Region 6-4A.
Braddock said he’s guys can now, “cut loose.”
"We'll get to play a top-ranked team in the state," Braddock added, "so there's no pressure. The motto this upcoming week is to turn it loose and have fun. There's no pressure, just turn it loose and have a good time."
Notes:
Newton County outgained Northeast Jones in total yards, 386 to 206. The Cougars rushed the ball for 349 yards.
Mason Smith led Northeast Jones’ run game with 81 yards on 13 carries.
