So far, the 2012 season certainly hasn't gone the way the Newton football team and Cardinal fans would have liked.

Coming off a 49-7 drubbing at Grinnell — one of the most lopsided losses in recent history — Newton is 1-4 on the season and 1-2 in Class 3A District 4. The Cardinals entered the Grinnell game with some momentum after upsetting South Tama a week earlier. Its offense seemed to be clicking in that game, but certainly not last Friday. Newton was held to 126 yards of total offense, including just 35 on the ground.
 

The Cardinals have only mustered 328 yards on the ground through five games on 181 attempts — a paltry 1.8 yards per carry average. That's made things especially tough on sophomore quarterback Tyler Wood and the passing game since teams know that if Newton is going to move the ball, it's going to be through the air. While Wood has completed 53.9 percent of his passes — second-best in the district — his eight interceptions are tied for the district lead.